ATHENS, Ohio -- Ohio University alumnus David M. Crane has been appointed by United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan as chief prosecutor for the U.N. War Crimes Tribunal for Sierra Leone. Crane will be responsible for trying cases involving mass murder, rape and mutilations in the West African nation.
The tribunal is expected to prosecute those who bear the greatest responsibility for war crimes, crimes against humanity and other atrocities committed since 1996, when a peace agreement between the government and the rebel Revolutionary United Front collapsed. An estimated 200,000 people were killed in the conflict and thousands of others were mutilated.
The tribunal, which will be composed of international and Sierra Leone prosecutors and judges, should be functioning this summer, Crane said.
An attorney, Crane currently serves in the Inspector General's Office of the Pentagon, where he heads an office that oversees numerous national security organizations. He manages a staff of 30 lawyers, auditors, analysts and others.
"I am humbled at this incredible opportunity and excited about being the first American lawyer since Justice Robert Jackson at Nuremberg to head an international tribunal," Crane said.
Crane graduated summa cum laude from Ohio University with a bachelor of general studies degree in 1972 and earned a master's degree in African studies from the university in 1973. He earned his law degree from Syracuse University. Crane has served in the U.S. government for nearly 30 years, primarily as an attorney, and specializes in international and criminal law as well as national security law.
Crane credits his time at Ohio University, especially the mentorship of Professor Emeritus of History Gifford Doxsee, his faculty adviser during his undergraduate and graduate studies, for laying the cornerstone for his professional success.
"My time at Ohio University was seminal in my growing into a scholar and a leader," Crane said. "At Ohio, I developed a deep appreciation for many life fundamentals, such as learning and interacting with people. I was able to build upon this solid foundation for a career in public service."
Crane's potential was obvious early on, Doxsee said.
"I knew he was a very hard-working, disciplined, intelligent student when I taught him," Doxsee noted. "One never knows how a student will turn out, but, frankly, I'm not surprised at David's success. I'm very proud of him. It's really a terrific achievement, and I'm sure he'll do an outstanding job. He's very disciplined and has good judgment."
Crane has served as assistant general counsel with the Defense Intelligence Agency and legal adviser to U.S. Forces, Multinational Force and Observers, in Sinai, Egypt, as well as the Waldemar A. Solf Professor of International Law at the Judge Advocate General's School of the U.S. Army.
His wife, Judith, also graduated with honors from Ohio University, earning a bachelor's degree in home economics in 1973.
