Moussaoui death sentencing trial delayed News
Moussaoui death sentencing trial delayed

[JURIST] US District Judge Leonie Brinkema has delayed the sentencing trial [PDF order] of September 11 conspirator Zacarias Moussaoui [JURIST news archive] by one month and ordered a two-stage process [PDF text] to determine whether or not he will receive the death penalty, according to ruling released Tuesday. The trial, now set to begin with jury selection on February 6, and opening arguments on March 6, will be divided into separate parts to determine whether, first, Moussaoui intentionally lied about his knowledge of the September 11 attacks and, secondly, to determine whether Moussaoui should receive the death penalty or life imprisonment. Brinkema said that the request for a delay was made in a classified filing by Moussaoui's lawyers. Moussaoui, who pleaded guilty [JURIST report] to six conspiracy charges [indictment] in April, has indicated that he intends to testify on his own behalf [JURIST report] and has vowed to fight against the death penalty. Reuters has more.

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