Fit For Trial

It's a minimalist ruling in the Padilla case, but a clear one:

"This defendant clearly has the capacity to assist his attorneys," Judge Cooke said, adding that Mr. Padilla's case was "unique" and that "he understands that."

Judge Cooke, who allowed limited testimony from military brig officials during the competency hearing, said her ruling should not be construed as a finding on Mr. Padilla’s claims of mistreatment during his detention and interrogations at a naval brig in South Carolina.

"Those claims are for another day," she said, referring to another pending motion by Mr. Padilla's lawyers that the charges against him be dismissed because of "outrageous government conduct."

So now the government will make its case. And we may learn a lot.