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Prosecutor: Moussaoui's lies led to 9/11
(AP)
Updated: 2006-03-07 07:25
Opening its argument that Zacarias Moussaoui be
executed, the US government asserted Monday that he "did his part as a loyal
al-Qaida soldier" and caused the deaths of nearly 3,000 people by failing to
tell what he knew of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.
Moussaoui's defense countered that his dreams of being a terrorist were far
removed from anything he could actually do, and that he had no part in the
attacks. "That is Zacarias Moussaoui in a nutshell," said his court-appointed
lawyer Edward MacMahon. "Sound and fury signifying nothing."
A file photo of Zacarias Moussaoui
[AFP] | As Moussaoui stroked his beard and families of Sept. 11 victims watched on
closed-circuit TV, prosecutor Rob Spencer evoked the horror of that day and laid
blame on the only man charged in the United States in the attacks.
"He lied so the plot could proceed unimpeded," Spencer asserted. "With that
lie, he caused the deaths of nearly 3,000 people. He rejoiced in the death and
destruction."
He went on: "Had Mr. Moussaoui just told the truth, it would all have been
different."
A school teacher, a veteran of the first Gulf War and an Iranian-born Sunni
Muslim woman are among the jurors who will decide whether Moussaoui is put to
death or imprisoned for life.
U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema impaneled 18 jurors and alternates in 90
minutes. One who appeared upset at being chosen was excused, meaning the trial
will proceed with 12 jurors and five alternates instead of six.
Moussaoui, a 37-year-old French citizen, has acknowledged his loyalty to the
al-Qaida terrorist network and his intent to commit acts of terrorism, but
denies any prior knowledge of the Sept. 11 plot.
Moussaoui pleaded guilty in April to conspiring with al-Qaida to hijack
planes and commit other crimes. The trial will determine his punishment, and
only two options are available: death or life in prison.
In his opening statement, MacMahon appealed to jurors to judge his client
fairly, not "as a substitute for Osama bin Laden."
He scoffed at the idea Moussaoui had any part in the
plot. "Moussaoui certainly wasn't sent over here to tell a lie, ladies and
gentlemen."
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