Most of 9/11 case gutted Moussaoui might face tribunal

Richmond Times Dispatch ^ | 10-3-03

[putupon]

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP) - A federal judge dealt a severe setback to the only U.S. prosecution arising from the Sept. 11 attacks, ruling Thursday that the government cannot seek to execute Zacarias Moussaoui or introduce trial evidence linking the al-Qaida loyalist to the suicide hijackings.

[Moonman62]

She forced the Bush administration to choose between taking the dispute over witnesses to a federal appeals court or moving Moussaoui's case from a civilian court to a military tribunal.

Going to a tribunal would be like hopping from the frying pan into the fire, which is good for any terrorist.

[Support Free Republic]

A Recall AND a Fundraiser? I'm toast.

Let's get this over with FAST. Please contribute!

[Moonman62]

Brinkema, a Clinton administration nominee who was a federal prosecutor, postponed the effect of her ruling so the government could appeal.

What a surprise!

[struwwelpeter]

Are they taking volunteers for the military tribunal? This old reservist is ready to volunteer... but only for the firing squad.

[conservativefromGa]

bout freaking time

[Highest Authority]

Am I the only one who is totally disgusted with Federal judges? Looks like Klinton really did a number on this country! We will be decades cleaning up his treason.

[Right_in_Virginia]

If Moussaoui is shown to be a minor player in al-Qaida's war against the United States, he couldn't lawfully "be sentenced to death for the actions of other members of al-Qaida who perpetrated the Sept. 11 attacks," the judge said.

If it's proven he helped kill 3000 people, he can't be put to death?! Why the he!! not?!

[Marauder]

She forced the Bush administration to choose between taking the dispute over witnesses to a federal appeals court or moving Moussaoui's case from a civilian court to a military tribunal.

Going to a tribunal would be like hopping from the frying pan into the fire, which is good for any terrorist.

Yup. A no-brainer as far as I'm concerned. I want to volunteer for the firing squad.

[putupon]

Am I the only one who is totally disgusted with Federal judges?

Disgusted? Yes, but really more POed; but what can you expect from the terrorist pardoning 'Toons to put on the Bench?

My main disgust is with the weenies in the Senate who, when given an opportunity to put at least a few decent ones in, bend over and grab their ankles for the HildeBeast and Teddy.

[ET(end tyranny)]

ruling Thursday that the government cannot seek to execute Zacarias Moussaoui or introduce trial evidence linking the al-Qaida loyalist to the suicide hijackings.

Isn't the whole point of a trial, to PRESENT evidence??

[Sandy]

Good. A death penalty case where the defendant isn't allowed to defend himself? Give me a break. This crap doesn't belong in a federal court.

[Sandy]

Isn't the whole point of a trial, to PRESENT evidence??

Yes, but normally the accused is allowed to refute the evidence presented.

[Sandy]

If it's proven he helped kill 3000 people, he can't be put to death?! Why the he!! not?!

Because we don't allow people to be sentenced to death in federal court without first allowing them to defend themselves.

[The Great RJ]

I could never understand why Moussaoui, who is not a US citizen, was being given an "OJ type circus" trial in US federal court. He deserved to go to a tribunal immediatly and should have been enjoying his 72 virgins (sarcasm) a long time ago.

[Physicist]

Just let him go. Give him a one-way ticket to Saudi Arabia. Leaving from La Guardia.

[Coop]

My main disgust is with the weenies in the Senate who, when given an opportunity to put at least a few decent ones in, bend over and grab their ankles for the HildeBeast and Teddy.

Then why don't you tell us just how they might overcome the filibusters. (And no, the 24/7 prattle is not a solution, unfortunately.)

[putupon]

(And no, the 24/7 prattle is not a solution, unfortunately.)

Why wouldn't 24/7 work?

Please tell me why they didn't at least try, even if they didn't think it would work?

Please tell me why our 15b for African Aids POTUS didn't take to the public that a good man was getting kicked around for 2 years and why that wouldn't have pressured lace panty Frist and the rest of the girly-boys to quit hiding from Hillary in the Senate Ladies Room, and at least attempt a limp-wristed slap back or two.

[Coop]

Why wouldn't 24/7 work?

[sigh] Because the GOP would need virtually all 51 Senators to be on call constantly in case a vote came up, while the Dems would need only 3 or 4 mouthpieces to prattle on and on while the others bring them coffee. Other business would be held up indefinitely, the media and many right here on good ol' FR would blame the GOP anyway, and the filibuster still probably would not result in accomplishing the job.

Were there any other suggestions in your name-calling rant? If so, please clarify them.

[Polybius]

If it's proven he helped kill 3000 people, he can't be put to death?! Why the he!! not?!

For the same reason that the citizens of California could not have a recall:.......a Federal judge or Federal judges without an ounce of common sense.

Not to worry. This is only the opinion of one Federal judge and, like the recent California ruling that was promptly overturned, it only serves to show the Amereican public why we need more conservative judges on the Federal bench.

This judge has also made it almost certain that the case will go to a military tribunal where it should have been all along.