9/11 Families Split on New York Trial

Put Khalik Sheik Mohammed on trial in civil court in nation's capital

(NEWSER) - New York doesn’t want the trial of accused 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheik Mohammed to take place in lower Manhattan, so bring the proceedings to the nation’s capital, writes Thomas Penfield Jackson. After all, “KSM’s crimes were committed against the entire nation,” so a trial in Washington is only “fitting,” contends Jackson, a retired federal judge who presided in DC. More»

US legal system is, in fact, up to this challenge

(NEWSER) - While the news that Sept. 11 terror suspect Khalid Sheik Mohammed will be tried in New York has created quite a furor, there are also a number of misconceptions floating around about the trial. Andrew Cohen clears up six:

• Mohammed’s lawyers won’t be able to get the case dismissed because he was waterboarded. It’ll play some role, but the feds wouldn’t bring the case to New York if they didn’t have lots of other evidence.

He also says he hopes the US captures Osama alive

(NEWSER) - Turns out the debate on holding terror trials in New York City isn't settled after all. Attorney General Eric Holder told a Senate panel today that "New York isn't off the table"—even though the Obama administration said as much earlier this year when Mayor Bloomberg and others balked. Holder said a decision will be made in a matter of weeks, reports the New York Times . More»

White House gives up on bringing terror suspects to Manhattan

(NEWSER) - The Obama administration’s plan to try alleged 9/11 terror plotters in a lower Manhattan court bit the dust today, swamped by waves of criticism from politicians from New York to Washington. “New York is out,” a source tells the Washington Post tonight. “We’re considering other options.” Officials are still committed to trying self-proclaimed mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and others in civilian, and not military, court. More»

Change follows further criticism from NY pols in 9/11 case

(NEWSER) - In an about-face a day after New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg joined those opposed to trying 9/11 terror suspects in a lower Manhattan court, the White House yesterday asked the Justice Department to consider alternate venues, the New York Times reports. President Obama is said to continue to support Attorney General Eric Holder's position that a civilian trial is appropriate for alleged mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and others. More»