[JURIST] The defense team in the sentencing trial [case docket] of Zacarias Moussaoui [BBC profile; JURIST news archive] on Wednesday called several witnesses in an effort to prevent a death sentence for the convicted Sept. 11 conspirator, including two family members of Sept. 11 victims, and more mental health experts. In stark contrast to the dozens of victims' relatives who testified for the prosecution, jurors heard Marilynn Rosenthal and Robin Therkauf, who lost a son and a husband, respectively, ask for a life sentence instead of capital punishment for Moussaoui.

Psychiatrist Michael First testified that Moussaoui suffers from paranoid schizophrenia and is unable to prepare an adequate defense. Moussaoui's attorneys allege that he believes President Bush will order his release, which First believes has caused Moussaoui to lash out at his defense team [JURIST report] and fabricate testimony that conflicts with al Qaeda leaders' version of 9/11 [JURIST report]. AP has more.