Split decision convicts former bin Laden driver

A JURY of six military officers at Guantanamo Bay reached a split verdict yesterday in the war crimes trial of a former driver for Osama bin Laden, clearing him of some charges, but convicting him of others that could send him to prison for life.

The Pentagon-selected jury deliberated for about eight hours over three days before convicting Salim Hamdan of supporting terrorism. He was cleared of the conspiracy charge.

Hamdan, who faces a maximum life sentence, held his head in his hands and wept at the defence table after a US Navy captain presiding over the jury read the sentence. The judge scheduled a sentencing hearing for late yesterday.