His lies led to Sept. 11 deaths

ALEXANDRIA – Federal prosecutors argued on Monday that even though Sept.

11 conspirator Zacarias Moussaoui was in jail during the attacks he should be executed because his lies led to the deaths of 3 000 people. But one of his court-appointed lawyers said executing Moussaoui would only make him a martyr because many al Qaeda members only “live so that they can die.”Moussaoui, a French citizen of Moroccan descent, pleaded guilty in April to six counts, three of which carry the death penalty.The charges included conspiracy to commit terrorism.”Please don’t make him a hero,” defence attorney Edward MacMahon said at the start of the trial to determine Moussaoui’s sentence.”He just doesn’t deserve it.”Moussaoui, 37, was arrested the month before the 2001 attacks after raising suspicions at a flight school.Prosecutors said the hijackings might have been averted if he had not lied to investigators and told them what he knew.”Even though he was in jail on Sept.11, 2001, Moussaoui did his part …as a loyal al Qaeda soldier,” said lead prosecutor Robert Spencer.”His lies provided the operational security and allowed his brothers to go forward and kill.””Had Moussaoui just told the truth on September 11, 2001, it would all have been different,” he said Earlier, US District Judge Leonie Brinkema seated 12 jurors and five alternates in the only trial to be held in the United States in connection with the hijackings.The jury must first decide whether his actions led directly to at least one death on Sept 11.If it decides that they do, another phase of the trial will be held to decide if Moussaoui will be executed.If the jury finds the opposite, he would receive life in prison.- Nampa-ReutersBut one of his court-appointed lawyers said executing Moussaoui would only make him a martyr because many al Qaeda members only “live so that they can die.”Moussaoui, a French citizen of Moroccan descent, pleaded guilty in April to six counts, three of which carry the death penalty.The charges included conspiracy to commit terrorism.”Please don’t make him a hero,” defence attorney Edward MacMahon said at the start of the trial to determine Moussaoui’s sentence.”He just doesn’t deserve it.”Moussaoui, 37, was arrested the month before the 2001 attacks after raising suspicions at a flight school.Prosecutors said the hijackings might have been averted if he had not lied to investigators and told them what he knew.”Even though he was in jail on Sept.11, 2001, Moussaoui did his part …as a loyal al Qaeda soldier,” said lead prosecutor Robert Spencer.”His lies provided the operational security and allowed his brothers to go forward and kill.””Had Moussaoui just told the truth on September 11, 2001, it would all have been different,” he said Earlier, US District Judge Leonie Brinkema seated 12 jurors and five alternates in the only trial to be held in the United States in connection with the hijackings.The jury must first decide whether his actions led directly to at least one death on Sept 11.If it decides that they do, another phase of the trial will be held to decide if Moussaoui will be executed.If the jury finds the opposite, he would receive life in prison.- Nampa-Reuters