Walker's debut in court

Overview: What acknowledgements and agreements did John Walker Lindh make in his first court appearance in the federal courthouse in Alexandria, Virginia? What charges were brought against him by the United States government? Why does Walker Lindh require tight security? Guide students to understand how the media create images of people in the news through visuals and voices. Challenge them to predict the influence of various perspectives on Walker Lindh's trial.

Curriculum Connections: Current Events, Political Science, the Arts, Communications, Media Literacy

Have students read the story, John Walker Lindh makes first court appearance," and answer the following questions:

1. What acknowledgements did John Walker Lindh make in his court appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge W. Curtis Sewell? What is a grand jury indictment? Why might prosecutors seek a grand jury indictment? What are the four criminal counts with which Lindh is charged? What additional charges could be brought against him? What allegations has the United States government made against Lindh?

2. Why did Walker Lindh arrive at the courthouse about two hours before his scheduled hearing? John Hackman of the United States Marshals Service said, "We're trying to prepare for every contingency… .It may be something from citizens who might not particularly care for Mr. Walker. There's a multitude of threats that we're preparing for." Do you think that Lindh's presence in the United States requires tight security? Why or why not?

3. By reading and viewing the media coverage on John Walker Lindh, direct students to review and write his story as it has unfolded since his capture by the U.S. military in November 2001.

In class discussion, have students compare and contrast the voices and visuals used to present Lindh's story before and after his appearance in court. Engage students in a discussion about the image of Lindh that various groups and people would assign to him. Ask students to identify the different points of view that could be used to tell Lindh's story, such as his parents, his teenage friends, his Taliban associates, and U.S. government prosecutors. Have students consider whether or not each portrayal of John Walker Lindh can be a true representation. Ask: What factors influence the ways in which various people, including themselves, present their stories or the stories of others? Explain. How could this impact the trial of John Walker?

4. To consider how and why American Taliban John Walker Lindh's treatment is different from the treatment afforded the Taliban and al Qaeda detainees at Quantanamo Bay's Camp X-Ray, visit this lesson plan, "Are the detainees POWs or civilians?"