Judge allows government to continue to seek death penalty against Zacarias Moussaoui

AFP via Drudge Report ^ | March 14, 2006

[West Coast Conservative]

US judge refuses to dismiss Moussaoui trial
Mar 14 3:55 PM US/Eastern

A US judge declined to dismiss the death penalty trial of September 11 plotter Zacarias Moussaoui, but dealt a huge blow to the prosecution by throwing out key evidence.

US District Judge Leonie Brinkema said the case could continue but dealt a stinging rebuke to the government, saying "I don't think in the annals of criminal law there has ever been a case with as many significant problems."

Brinkema's ruling came after a controversy over apparent witness coaching by a government lawyer which the defense said prejudiced Moussaoui's chances of a fair trial.

She struck out all testimony from witnesses having to do with aviation issues, which the prosecution had said made up half of its case against Moussaoui.

[Ciexyz]

I'm speechless. Nuff said.

[American Quilter]

A US judge declined to dismiss the death penalty trial of September 11 plotter Zacarias Moussaoui, but dealt a huge blow to the prosecution by throwing out key evidence.

This is so aggravating. Never should have been a civilian trial in the first place.

[CyberAnt]

I haven't been following this very closely .. does anybody know the politics of this lady fed prosecutor who pulled this stupid stunt ..??

Anybody wanna bet she's a LIBERAL .. another do-gooder who's trying to protect this guy from being put to death ..??

I'd be very interested in her connection to certain organizations.

[HardStarboard]

Justice would be taking Zacarias up for another flying lesson...in a helicopter with an open door.....and no parachutes....and returning to base one man short!

Half way down he might get the idea of what it was like for the 200 that jumped from the WTC

[Amelia]

It's my understanding that a law school intern wouldn't screw up like she did. We should be looking into who she may be working for, scrutinizing her bank accounts, and looking for any signs of unexplained affluence. Somebody somewhere was bribing her to "accidentally" blow the case, there is no other explanation.

Unless I'm totally misunderstanding what she did, I think she ought to be prosecuted.

[eleni121]

A little background on the incompetent liberal Martin.

http://www.theledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060315/ZNYT02/603150423

[af_vet_1981]

If tainted evidence and coached witness testimony is okay, then why even have a trial? Just take him out back and kill him.

Give him a fair trial (should take all of 2 weeks) and a fast hanging.

As admirable as military service is, it's sad when you don't understand what you are defending...

it's even sadder when people think they are Americans and side with the terrorists against their own country under the guise of fairness and the criminal justice system.

[CyberAnt]

Thanks for that info, but it still doesn't answer the basic question .. what organizations does she belong to.

[eleni121]

what organizations does she belong to.

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I'm sure that will come out as more news is reported.