I watch my son die every time I see the twin towers on TV

The Daily Telegraph ^ | January 31, 2003 | Kate Connolly

[MadIvan]

Relatives of September 11 victims wept yesterday as for the first time they confronted an alleged plotter, frequently breaking down and sometimes shouting as they delivered emotional testimony to a Hamburg court.

A bereaved husband, two widows, a mother and a father who are among 20 co-plaintiffs in the first September 11 trial spelt out the horrendous impact the attacks had had on their lives.

On trial is Mounir el Motassadeq, 28, a Moroccan student accused of acting as a logistician for the Hamburg-based gang that planned the attack and of assisting in the murders of 3,045 people.

"We wanted to present the faces of the victims and their families today so that they're not just statistics," said Maureen Fanning, who lost her fireman husband Jack, 54, when the World Trade Centre collapsed. Mrs Fanning told the court his death had forced her to place one of their two severely autistic sons into a care home.

"Sean and Patrick have very little in their lives. They can't read or write. They have no friends to ring the doorbell. They had Jack to walk in the door and smile at them, something special. That was stolen from them on 9/11."

Mrs Fanning said the only possession of her husband's recovered was his helmet. Joan Molinaro, who lost her fireman son Carl, 32, reduced many in the court to tears, including the interpreter, when she described how she was haunted by the images of the plane attacks.

"I have watched my son die 100 times, every time I see videotapes of the towers falling," she said through tears. When I watch, I lean towards the TV and my mind screams: 'Carl run, run, run. This time you'll make it out'. I look at the faces of the people coming out but his face is never there."

Deena Burnett, whose 38-year-old husband Thomas was on United Airlines flight 93 which crashed in a field in Pennsylvania, looked directly at Motassadeq as she told how her three young daughters had yet to comprehend fully their father's loss.

"I hear them talk to their Dad at night by whispering prayers. They stuff crayon drawings into helium balloons and watch in the childlike hope that angels will carry them to Tom."

Michael Low, whose daughter Sarah, 29, was a flight attendant on American Airlines 11, which was rammed into the north tower, said all that had been recovered of his daughter were small bone fragments and two rings.

The impact of her loss meant "I'll never get to walk her down the aisle or to experience the joy of her first child".

As he spoke, Motassadeq, in a grey shirt, listened attentively, sometimes resting his chin in his left hand or clutching his beard. The co-plaintiffs are being led by Stephen Push, whose wife Lisa Raines, 42, a lobbyist for the pharmaceutical industry, was on board the plane that hit the Pentagon.

Since her death, his life "has had no joy in it" and he was constantly bombarded with reminders of the attacks.

"A sunny day reminds me that the hijackers selected a cloudless day better to see their targets at a distance," he said. "The mere sight of a commercial plane gives me a sick feeling in my stomach."

Mr Push, who founded the Families of September 11 organisation, said he had received his wife's body parts in a sealed coffin as well as a bent anniversary ring and half a burnt credit card.

Motassadeq, who denies the charges, dropped his gaze as Mrs Fanning delivered an angry outburst. "The defendant has chosen to associate himself with the forces of evil.

"Under the guise of religion, he has submitted himself freely and voluntarily to be educated and brainwashed in hatred and murder," she said, calling for a sentence of life imprisonment.

The trial continues.

[MadIvan]

Never forget. Never forgive.

Regards, Ivan

[MadIvan]

Bump!

[Fzob]

"I have watched my son die 100 times, every time I see videotapes of the towers falling," she said through tears. When I watch, I lean towards the TV and my mind screams: 'Carl run, run, run. This time you'll make it out'. I look at the faces of the people coming out but his face is never there."

May God give you piece. Sniff

[Fzob]

Good grief

piece = peace

[Clintons Are White Trash]

You've got that right Ivan. Unfortunately, some have already forgotten.

[caisson71]

I wonder if we can get these same people to testify before the US Senate as to the liberals question of a "smoking gun".

[bigfootbob]

BTTT

[BureaucratusMaximus]

Never forget. Never forgive.

(snicker)

50+ years of liberal brainwashing has turned the masses into cowards and dumbasses...they forgot already...all they know is that "Islam is a Religion of Peace (TM)"...AND that us mean ole-Imperialistic Americans are a bigger threat to world peace than Hitler was.

Remember...we're safe now...the government will take care of us...there's nothing to worry about.

[Bobby777]

from my 9/11 memorial page ... if anybody knows the creator of the fireman image, I will give them credit on the page too ...

http://www.tribulation.com/ourheart.htm

[LibKill]

"I have watched my son die 100 times, every time I see videotapes of the towers falling," she said through tears. When I watch, I lean towards the TV and my mind screams: 'Carl run, run, run. This time you'll make it out'. I look at the faces of the people coming out but his face is never there."

Dear Mrs. Fanning. We can't bring Carl back, but we will make them pay large for this. He will be avenged.

Never forget. Never forgive.

"One should forgive one's enemies, but not before they are hanged."

:)

[mvpel]

As much as my heart goes out to these victims, this kind of trial tactic is simply inflammatory and prejudicial, and has no probative value whatsoever.

None of the people testifying about their personal loss have any independent knowledge at all as to who carried out the attacks, who handled the logistics, who paid the bills, or any of that.

I could see putting them on the stand once the verdict had been determined and they were trying to decide whether to put the convicted terrorist to death, but now? It's grandstanding, and that's not something that should be part of a fair trial.

[Monty22]

The correct action to a tragedy is sorry. The WTC was an atracity, and therefore vengence, and endless retribultion are we me must do.

[OldFriend]

IT HAS VALUE TO THE FAMILIES AND THAT IS ALL THAT MATTERS.

Sorry if that's too inflamatory for you!

[OldFriend]

meant.....inflammatory!

[mvpel]

The trial is supposed to be for determining the guilt or innocence of the suspect, not to provide a forum for the families of victims to pour out their anguish.

At the sentencing hearing, that's one thing, but during the trial? No way. Not in a fair trial, at least.

[CharlesThe Hammer]

Semper Fidelis and condolences to these bereaved. I will never forget nor forgive this attack. It will be avenged properly.

[dagnabbit]

He will be avenged.

Don't count on it.

[LibKill]

That image of the angel leaning on the shoulder of the fireman and comforting him is powerful.

[OldFriend]

You sound like the typical dem, or are you a defense attorney. Either way, you have my sympathies......it must be hard to live without a heart......or brain cells.

[harpo11]