Former chief prosecutor of the Special Court for Sierra Leone joins College of Law as distinguished visiting professor

Former chief prosecutor of the Special Court for Sierra Leone joins College of Law as distinguished visiting professorSeptember 07, 2005

The Syracuse University College of Law has announced that David M. Crane LAW’80 has joined its faculty as a distinguished visiting professor. He will teach international criminal law, international law and national security law, as well as other related courses. Crane recently finished a three-year appointment with the United Nations and the Special Court for Sierra Leone as the chief prosecutor against those responsible for war crimes and human rights violations committed during the brutal 10-year civil war in Sierra Leone during the 1990’s. Crane is the first American since the 1945 Nuremberg Trials to be the chief prosecutor of an international war crimes tribunal.

“We are fortunate to have such a prestigious alumnus join our faculty and have our students benefit from his global experiences,” says Dean Hannah Arterian. “David’s role in the Sierra Leone war crimes trial demonstrated his exceptional legal skills, understanding of international law and his passion for humanity.”

The court has so far indicted 13 people, nine of whom are in custody. Two indictees remain beyond the court’s reach and two others have died.

“I am proud to have served the international community and my clients inSierra Leone to bring justice to their country,” says Crane. “I am also proud to be back at Syracuse University College of Law to educate the next generation of lawyers who will serve their clients to rigorously uphold the law.”

Prior to his appointment as the chief prosecutor, Crane served more than 30 years in the U.S. federal government. Appointed to the Senior Executive Service of the United

States in 1997, Crane has held numerous key managerial positions during his three decades of public service, including deputy inspector general, Department of Defense; Assistant General Counsel of the Defense Intelligence Agency; and Waldemar A. Solf Professor of International Law at the United States Army Judge Advocate General’s School.

Crane holds a bachelor of general studies degree, summa cum laude, and a master’s degree from Ohio University, as well as a J.D. from SU. He has received several prestigious awards that include the Intelligence Community Gold Seal Medallion, the Department of Defense/DoDIG Distinguished Civilian Service Medal and the Legion of Merit.