Will the 11 suspects being tried in New York receive a fair trial in an angry atmosphere?
In the biggest trial for the age of terrorism, the professed 9/11 mastermind and four alleged henchmen will be hauled before a civilian court on American soil, barely a thousand yards from the site of the World Trade Center’s twin towers they are accused of destroying. Attorney General Eric Holder announced the decision Friday to bring Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and four others detained at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to trial at a lower Manhattan courthouse. It’s a risky move. Trying the men in civilian court will bar evidence obtained under duress and complicate a case where anything short of slam-dunk convictions will empower President Barack Obama’s critics. Sources: http://www.msnbc.msn.
9/11 suspects face angry reception in New York by Sebastian Smith Sebastian Smith Fri Nov 13, 5:51 pm ET NEW YORK (AFP) – US authorities on Friday vowed a fair trial for the alleged September 11 plotters after years of abuse in military jails, but when they arrive in New York they will find a city thirsting for revenge. “Hang them,” said Joe Ricciardi, 55, a construction worker near the gaping hole of Ground Zero, site of the Twin Towers destroyed on September 11, 2001. “Look at what they did to this place. Look at the families they wrecked,” added Ricciardi’s son, also called Joe, gesturing toward Ground Zero, where nearly 3,000 people died when hijacked planes struck the World Trade Center. “Put them in a bird cage and hang it in the middle of Times Square,” a third man in the group said to mordant laughter. Announcing the stunning move, Attorney General Eric Holder promised to seek the death penalty against alleged 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and four others, but insisted
