A Pentagon jury will consider its a verdict on a former driver and alleged bodyguard for Osama bin Laden today as the US nears completion of its first war crimes trial since the Second World War.

The imminent start of war crimes trials at Guantanamo Bay has been thrown into doubt by a US Supreme Court ruling that detainees have constitutional rights and can appeal to civilian courts.

In a stunning turnaround, the former chief military prosecutor at Guantanamo Bay says he will be a defence witness for the driver of terror chief Osama bin Laden.