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9/11 Plotters Will Face Death: Holder

New York trial represents proper US tradition, AG says

By Harry Kimball,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 13, 2009 12:38 PM CST
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(Newser) – Confessed 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheik Mohammed and his four co-defendants will face the death penalty, Eric Holder confirmed today, and the AG leapt to defend the decision to try them in a civilian court in New York. They will “answer for their alleged crimes in a courthouse just blocks away from where the Twin Towers once stood,” Holder said. “I fully expect to direct prosecutors to seek the death penalty against each of the alleged 9/11 conspirators.”

Holder rejected arguments that the alleged terrorists should answer to a military tribunal, reports the Washington Post. “For over 200 years our nation has relied on a faithful adherence to the rule of law to bring criminals to justice and provide accountability to victims,” he said. “Once again we will ask our legal system to rise to that challenge.”

Attorney General Eric Holder.
Attorney General Eric Holder.   (AP Photo)
Khalid Sheik Mohammed.
Khalid Sheik Mohammed.   (AP Photo)
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If people...do something that's rare in Washington—leave the politics out of it and focus on what's in the best interest of this country—I think the criticism will be relatively muted. Having said that, I'm sure we'll hear a lot.
- Eric Holder

I am absolutely convinced that Khalid Sheik Mohammed will be subject to the most exacting demands of justice. The American people insist on it, and my administration will insist on it. - President Obama

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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 29 comments
ashea
Nov 15, 2009 9:21 AM CST
good! now we can stop wasting our taxdollars on them and give them what they damn deserve
Guava_Jelly
Nov 13, 2009 9:41 AM CST
This is such a DISGRACE it's UNBELIEVABLE!!!!!!!
Yourself
Nov 13, 2009 9:37 AM CST
so a canadian or mexican who crosses the border, kills just one person and gets caught should be tried in military court? according to your lame argument that's what you're saying. They, civilians, killed other civilians, and should be tried in court, not military court, but regular one. The very judicial system we claim is the best in the world is what they will be tried in. your arguments otherwise make no sense.

 
terrorism • military tribunal • federal courts • Ground Zero • World Trade Center • September 11 • Guantanamo Bay • Khalid Sheikh Mohammed • terrorist • al-Qaeda • criminal trial • Eric Holder • 9/11 attacks • Obama administration • KSM

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