Posted on 04/03/2006 2:07:35 PM PDT by rocksblues
ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- The jury in the Zacharias Moussaoui trial today found that the Al Qaeda terrorist is eligible for the death penalty.
The unanimous verdict, after four days of deliberation, means that a new phase of the trial — about whether Moussaoui should get the death penalty or life in prison — will now be scheduled.
ADVERTISEMENT The verdict was read to reporters on the steps of the Alexandria Federal Courthouse by Edward Adams, spokesman for the court.
Arrested in August, 2001, 25 days before the attacks, the 37-year-old Moussaoui lied to FBI agents about the impending 9/11 attack.
Prosecutors argued for the death penalty on the grounds that had he shared his knowledge, the federal government could have prevented the attack of terrorists flying four passenger jets into the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and, when passengers thwarted their course, a field in Pennsylvania.
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
OK, there are now three Moussaoui articles under Breaking news.
Here's the big difference: Martha Stewart wasn't conspiring to murder large numbers of Americans.
Big deal...I received a letter yesterday that I am "eligible" to win a 10 million dollar lottery. I haven't quit my day job yet.
I do too. At most he should be dragged behind a truck the length of I-95.
I just feel we are crossing a BIG LINE when you can be put to death for lying to authorities.
I've been pre-approved for six credit cards. Frabjous day!
A federal judge sentenced an apologetic Michael J. Fortier to 12 years in prison and fined him $200,000 today for failing to warn authorities of his former Army buddies' plans for the bombing of a federal building here three years ago, which killed 168 people and forever scarred this community.
Terry Nichols didn't get the death penalty either.
Michael Fortier served 10-1/2 years and is out of prision now.
I guess the real crime is lying to authorities as Martha Stewart found out.- tom
"At most he should be dragged behind a truck the length of I-95."
Or dropped in front of Engine 54's house in midtown Manhattan.
I bet he's jumping for joy - 72 virgins!!
""Arrested in August, 2001, 25 days before the attacks, the 37-year-old Moussaoui lied to FBI agents about the impending 9/11 attack.""
Egads. What was it? "No sir, there will not be hijackings on September 11." Government now has any easy blame-narrative.
He's not getting the death penalty (if he gets it) for lying to authorities.
Jeez.
Then what if he gets the death penalty is he getting it for?
For his knowledge about 9/11 and failure to act.
He could have - possibly - avoided the death penalty had he acted to prevent it when he had the opportunity.
He did not.
Consider the irony. If Moussaoui were being tried as an "illegal combatant", he would not be punished for lying to his captors. Instead, that would be the expectation. It would be considered "a matter of honor".
But, no, the government, in its wisdom, tried him as a civilian -- and thereby was able to convict him on what amounts to a chicken$hit charge.
See now you are not one of the modern compassionate conservatives.
I am. And as a compassionate conservative I would, just to show my compassion and empathy, reduce that dragging by 10 miles. ;-)
Moussaoui, who has a master's degree from South Bank University in London, pleaded guilty to six charges of conspiracy last April…The key question before the jury, which had been deliberating since last Wednesday, was whether at least one victim died 11 September, 2001 as a direct result of Moussaoui's actions. Their answer was yes. The jurors ruled that he was guilty on three counts: conspiracy to commit international terrorism; to destroy aircraft and to use weapons of mass destruction.
>>I just feel we are crossing a BIG LINE when you can be put to death for lying to authorities.<<
You can't.
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