“As used in this chapter — ‘torture’ means an act committed by a person acting under the color of law specifically intended to inflict severe physical or mental pain or suffering (other than pain or suffering incidental to lawful sanctions) upon another person within his custody or physical control[.]”

As badly drafted as it is, that really doesn’t leave any room for their sophist quibbles — they acted purposefully with the intent ot inflict suffering severe enough to force someone to cooperate against their will.

I’ve been listening to their dishoinest alibis for seven years now: let them tell it to an impartial jury.