US Seeks Death for 6 in 9/11 Case

New York trial represents proper US tradition, AG says

(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.” More»

Red Cross photo of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed hits net

(NEWSER) - The family of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed released new photos of the self-proclaimed mastermind of the Sept. 11 attacks, and they've been showing up on sites used by al-Qaeda sympathizers to recruit terrorists. The images, taken by the Red Cross as part of its monitoring of Guantanamo Bay prisoners, are the first pictures to emerge since the iconic 2003 shot of him with disheveled hair and stubble where he now sports a full beard. More»

Court filing describes attacks as holy offering

(NEWSER) - Five Guantanamo prisoners have taken full responsibility for planning 9/11 and say they're proud of the attacks, the New York Times reports. A document filed with a military commission by the five men, which may be made public today, describes the attacks as a model of Islamic action and the accusations against them as "a badge of honor." More»

(NEWSER) - Two suspected Sept. 11 planners calmly declared their guilt today at what could be the final military tribunal session at Guantanamo Bay, the Miami Herald reports. "We are proud of 9/11," said Ramzi bin al Shibh, who announced his plan to plead guilty, the AP reports. Another of five suspects present, Khalid Sheik Mohammed, said the accused did not fear capital punishment. “We are doing jihad for the cause of God," he said. More»

As trial opens, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed requests death penalty

(NEWSER) - Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the man said to have planned the Sept. 11 attacks, asked a judge to be put to death today, MSNBC reports. During his arraignment at the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base a military judge told Mohammed he could face the death penalty. Mohammed replied, “Yes, this is what I wish, to be a martyr for a long time.” More»