Opening arguments begin in Moussaoui sentencing trial News
Opening arguments begin in Moussaoui sentencing trial

[JURIST] Opening arguments began Monday in the sentencing trial [case docket] of Zacarias Moussaoui [JURIST news archive] with government prosecutors claiming the defendant's lies to the FBI when he was arrested in August 2001 could have prevented the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks [JURIST news archive]. Court-appointed defense attorneys for Moussaoui argued instead that he had no knowledge of the attacks, backing his contentions that he was a faithful member of al-Qaida but saying he was not involved in the Sept. 11 plot. Moussaoui pleaded guilty [JURIST report] last April to conspiracy charges [indictment] that he was involved in other al-Qaida plans to commit terrorist acts with hijacked planes, and the selected jury will now decide whether he should receive the death penalty or life in prison.

US District Judge Leonie Brinkema [official profile] selected [JURIST report] 12 jurors and 6 alternates in 90 minutes Monday, but one was dismissed after she expressed distress in being chosen. The jury includes an Iranian-born Muslim woman, a Navy lieutenant who served in Desert Storm [Global Security backgrounder], a woman whose brother-in-law helped in rescue efforts on 9/11 as a member of the New York Police Department [official website], and a teacher who has traveled in the Middle East. Attorneys for Moussaoui expressed concern [JURIST report] last week over a potential jury pool stacked with individuals connected to Sept. 11, but only two selected jurors have an actual link to the terrorist attacks. AP has more.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Pope Urban II sparks First Crusade

Pope Urban II threw his support behind what would become the First Crusade on November 27, 1095 during the Council of Clairmont. The Pope urged the council's participants to render aid to the Byzantine Empire, which was being attacked by the Seljuks. Pope Urban called for a wide coalition of rich and poor to combat the threat, which eventually resulted in the conquest of much of the Muslim-controlled Levant by the Crusaders and the establishment of the Crusader States. Read Pope Urban's address.  

Catholic Code of Canon Law revised

On November 27, 1983, the revised Code of Canon Law of the Roman Catholic Church went into effect. Learn more about the history of Canon Law from Professor Kenneth Pennington of the Catholic University of America's Columbus School of Law.

Alfred Nobel creates Nobel Prize in his will

On November 27, 1895, Alfred Nobel signed his will, creating the Nobel Prize. Learn more about the history of the Nobel Prize and the Nobel Commission.