"The principle that there is a presumption of innocence in favor of the accused is the undoubted law, axiomatic and elementary, and its enforcement lies at the foundation of the administration of our criminal law." The Supreme Court; Coffin v. United States, 156 U.S. 432 (1895)
Regardless what you believe about Osama bin Laden's guilt or innocence regarding the attacks of September 11, 2001, under U.S. law, he was innocent.
The presumption of innocence is a fundamental right, recognized internationally by individual states and in international treaties. The Court did not overstate its significance as axiomatic and elemental to the administration of criminal law.
Dick Cheney and others have argued that the threat of terrorism is so grave as to demand the abrogation of such rights in service to its prevention. Are they right?