It was formed by order of the British Crown in response to the large number of prosecutions stemming from the Salem Witch Trials.

With neither the United States nor Iraq members of the court, however, it seems unlikely that this new tribunal will play any role in prosecutions stemming from the war.

Earlier this fall, Attorney General John Ashcroft removed the authority from Ms. White's office to control decisions over prosecutions stemming from the Sept. 11 attacks.

His lawyer, Joseph Tacopina, said the acquittal on the conspiracy charge would protect his client from any new prosecution stemming from the torture in the bathroom.

The change could significantly favor the government in any prosecution stemming from the inquiry, which has focused on the actions of the ferry's two senior officers, the captain and the assistant captain, officials said.

The trial, which is expected to last up to three months, is only the first of what may be a series of prosecutions stemming from the two-year investigation.

Obstructing Congress Charge Mr. Poindexter is charged with conspiracy, obstructing Congress and making false statements in the prosecution stemming from the Iran-contra affair.

Both men are likely to face future prosecutions stemming from the 10 sniper killings in the Washington area even if they are sentenced to death in the initial trials.

Legal documents that were thought to be lost have turned up, shedding light on bogus prosecutions stemming from the riot.

Since the first convictions under BWATA others have faced prosecution stemming from the provisions in the law, some were successful, others were not.