Jury picked to decide Moussaoui's fate

A jury was seated Monday to hear the sentencing phase of the trial of Zacarias Moussaoui, the only person charged in the United States with crimes related to the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

Attorneys chose seven women and 10 men to constitute the jury of 12 members and five alternates.

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Jurors will not be asked to determine Moussaoui's guilt. That was established last April, when Moussaoui pleaded guilty to all six terrorism conspiracy charges against him.

For his punishment, jurors will have two choices: Life in prison without the possibility of parole or death, which the government is seeking.

Prosecutors will argue that Moussaoui should be executed because he lied to FBI agents about his knowledge of what other al Qaeda operatives were doing.

For the jury to return a death sentence, prosecutors must prove that Moussaoui's lying contributed to the murder of nearly 3,000 people in the September 11, 2001, attacks.

Moussaoui's April 22, 2005 guilty plea was a slightly odd event. Personally, I wouldn't be surprised if it was his way to try and stay in the justice system as opposed to being put in Guantanamo-style legal limbo.

During the trial hearings that started on March 6, 2006 the defense is expected to argue that "the government knew more about the terrorists' plans than Moussaoui and still was unable to prevent the attacks". Or, maybe, unwilling.

For the record: I do not have much sympathy for Zacarias Moussaoui though my first priority with him would be finding out what he really knows whereas the government's appears to be to execute him. Not do I call for John Ashcroft and other government officials who had stalled the counterterrorism effort in this country prior to 9/11 - and likely continue to do so - to be brought up on charges as severe as those Moussaoui is facing - though by their own logic they should be. Even though it is quite possible that obstruction of justice charges should be brought up against many of them. It is not that complicated - if you get in the way of a cop trying to do his job you aid the thief. As simple as that.

tags: 911  ashcroft  moussaoui  law