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Because of limited space in the Alexandria, Va. federal courthouse only a half dozen reporters were allowed into Judge Leonie Brinkema's courtroom today for the start of jury selection in the sentencing phase of Zacarias Moussaoui's trial. When seated, the jury will determine whether Moussaoui, the only person convicted in the U.S. on charges stemming from the Sept. 11 attacks, is executed or spends the rest of his life in prison.
I was among the "pool" selected to hear the third of four sessions where prospective jurors were to be selected. The courtroom was filled with more than 130 prospective jurors. Most of them white, from their 20s through their 50s or 60s -- one woman wore a headscarf, presumably she was Muslim. All in all, nearly 500 possible jurors came to the courtroom in the four, roughly 30-minute sessions. That pool will be narrowed on February 15 to 85 and then on March 6 to 18. Only 12 jurors will decide the fate of Zacarias Moussaoui. The others will be alternates.
One minute into the proceedings today, Moussaoui, hands folded across his waist -- wearing a green prison jumpsuit with the white word "Prisoner" across his back -- was led into the courtroom by three plain-clothes marshals.
(On the elevator up to the 10th floor courtroom I asked one of the prosecutors in the case why Moussaoui was wearing a prison uniform and not street clothes, as defendants are entitled to wear when they appear before a jury. The prosecutor told me, "he had a choice and he made it." He didn't respond when asked what choices Moussaoui had.)
It was when he reached the defense table, halfway across the well of the court -- where his court appointed lawyers were sitting, that he burst out in a clear voice declaring that he is a member of al-Qaida. He disavowed his lawyers and pledged to testify on his own behalf in the trial. Still standing, he said to the crowd, "This trial is a circus." Then he declared, "I want to be heard." Of his lawyers, he said, "These people do not represent me." Then he recited the names of his court-appointed counsel. "This defense is a fraud... I will tell the truth that I know," he said, speaking with a thick French/Moroccan accent. "These lawyers are not my lawyers... I don't want to be represented by these lawyers," Moussaoui rambled.
"This is not the time," Judge Brinkema responded.
Over the judge's admonishment, Moussaoui went on, "For four years I have waited. I will tell them the truth I know." After about one minute of rambling, Judge Brinkema ordered marshals to take him from the courtroom. Moussaoui turned toward the judge, put his hand on his head and continued speaking -- though it was not possible to hear most of what he said. His parting words were clear as he was escorted out of the courtroom: "I will take the stand."
Judge Brinkema emphasized to the group of jurors "the gravity of the decision you will face about whether someone lives or dies." She described a death sentence as "an awesome responsibility not to be taken lightly." The judge also asked jurors to indicate on their 50 page questionnaires if today's outburst would affect their deliberations.
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The court has (is) forming a jury of "peers" exactly in the manner as defined: Peer -one who has equal standing with another-nobleman, duke, earl, commoner." The definition does not note any need for same religion, origin or, especially opinion!
K Blum Kansas City Kansas (Sent Feb 9, 2006 2:26:22 PM)
Moussaoui as with Hussain, will speak out if they have a public forum. There is no way the courts can silence them.
Instead of a trial of their "peers" since most of the prospective jurors will be white instead of Arab for Moussaoui the jury should consists of judges as they have done for cases in other high profile cases.
Dewey Quong, Reno, NV (Sent Feb 7, 2006 5:38:32 PM)
This is how I feel. The law gaurantees our right to be tried by a jury of your peers. It seems to me that one person of muslim descent of in a pool of 125 or so whites or blacks doesn't seem to very non-biased.
I have much disdain for the muslim population in the middle east. But we should have some real fun and make both the defense and prosecution dance. I've seen one to many cocky, rule the world facshcist lawyers working for the state attorney's office. Oh and to great joy I have seen the same man get worked over by some back door deal with Satan himself.
I remind you all that, in this country's beginning, this law that protects us. The forefather's quest to keep the mongers subdued would have provided you with a jury of your peers, the people who knew you in bad or good business, that associated with you everyday or just occasionally, and even in some cases polticians.
I mean to be very crass when I say that America is so afraid of these sewer rats that their willing to give up every right they have to be safe and comfortable in front of that 42" plasma. We have sold ourselves to the lies and propaganda of the world. But herein lies the conundrum! America is not ours to sell, But ask the Israelis if they let you circumvent democratic policies and principles to fry this idiot when it would be much more fun to watch him get kicked around by another red blooded American inmate.
There's another tip from your Uncle Ryno!
Ryno (Sent Feb 7, 2006 4:20:19 AM)
Since Mr. Moussaoui declared in court,"These lawyers are not my lawyers... I don't want to be represented by these lawyers," and since he has been found fit to stand trial under our system of justice I believe that Judge Brindeme should allow him to defend himself. Eventhough it would truly be a circus, why spend the dollars of the tax payers on defense lawyers for this person. If we are to give him a trial under the laws of the United States he has the right to defend himself and to live and/or die at his own hand under our laws. He his getting far more then the Americans and foreign nationals who died on 11 September 2001 got. They were given death at his hand, maybe justice would be best served if Mr. Moussaoui received death by his own hand. I just feel sorry for all of the prospective jurors and the jury to be chosen in this case. I just hope Judge Brinkema finds a way to keep the dignity of the court upheld. And maybe just maybe it would be best to have jurors from across the country hear this case. So that the decision would be made by all of the people. I know that is one case I would love to hear, I would give him the justice that the people at the Trade Center were not given, and maybe some justice for what I have to live with now, I was one of the construction guys at Ground Zero on 9/11....
Jeffrey T. Howell, Sussex New Jersey (Sent Feb 6, 2006 8:41:50 PM)
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