Edit to include: it appears he was not shot on sight, but shot when he "resisted". This is tremendously important when you think about the order which must have

Edit to include: it appears he was not shot on sight, but shot when he "resisted". This is tremendously important when you think about the order which must have been given. Saddam's trial was about documenting his government and demonstrating the authority of the new Iraqi regime. No one ever expected it to end in anything but a hanging. There is no similar motive to have a trial for Bin Laden. Another factor since 2006 is a development in the United States presidential interpretation of the constitution that gives the president the authority to order the death of individuals without judicial oversight[1]. This comes as a surprise to most Americans and should be addressed, but it won't happen soon. [1] Except for foreign officials or heads of state. Notice the gymnastics the US went through to say they were not targeting Ghadafi, but might target command centers where he might be present.