Supreme Court Avoids Combatant Challenge

By GINA HOLLAND
Associated Press Writer


WASHINGTON (AP) -- A divided Supreme Court turned back a challenge to the Bush administration's wartime detention powers, rejecting an appeal from U.S. citizen Jose Padilla who until recently had been held as an enemy combatant without traditional legal rights.

Chief Justice John Roberts and two others signaled concerns about the government's handling of Padilla and said they would be watching to ensure he receives the protections "guaranteed to all federal criminal defendants."

Three other justices wanted the court to consider immediately whether President Bush overstepped his authority by ordering Padilla's detention.

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