The jury has spoken: Zacarias Moussaoui will spend the rest of his life in prison.
Based on their seven days of deliberation, I have every reason to believe that the jury deliberated in good faith.
A variety of reasons were urged for a life sentence, including the idea that imposing the death penalty would merely give Moussaoui what he wanted -- martyrdom. The initial news accounts do not explain the jurors' reasoning.
In any event, now is a good time to recall what this man did, and what he wanted to do.
Remember that during his trial, "Moussaoui mocked the tearful testimony of 9/11 victims and their families and wished for similar attacks every day until America falls."
It is undisputed that Moussaoui wanted to be part of the September 11, 2001 attack, or another attack just like it.
Zacarias Moussaoui fully intended to do exactly what 19 others did on September 11, 2001:
The overpowering.
The throat slitting.
The hijacking of a plane filled with innocent men and women, and perhaps children.
The deadly last approach toward another place filled with innocent men and women, and perhaps children.
The explosive collision.
The awful fireball.
The burning.
The maiming.
The agony.
The dying.
The grief.
The shock.
The terror.
The mockery.
Let this verdict stand, as it must.
But never forget.
___________________________
Update later 5/3/06: Based on the jury verdict form, it appears that the key factor for this jury was that Moussaoui had "limited knowledge of the 9/11 attack plans." In other words, as far as this jury is concerned, Moussaoui is not directly responsible for the deaths on September 11, 2001. That much is true. He did, however, train for the purpose of killing as many Americans as he could. It was only due to his arrest by federal agents that he did not have the opportunity to carry out his murderous ambitions. Let him rot in prison.
He should now be issued a french maid's uniform to wear, assigned to the very loud laundry room of the prison where screams are muffled, and given a new cell mate named bubba for many years of warm spooning!
Sorry, but I can't forget September 11, 2001
Posted by: gawfer | May 03, 2006 at 06:33 PM
I think that he should be placed in the general prison population. With luck, he will be beaten up every day for the rest of his pathetic life.
When Moussaoui dies, may he be greeted by 72 old whores who all look like Yasser Arafat.
chsw
Posted by: chsw | May 03, 2006 at 07:26 PM
See: How does evil smile?
Posted by: Let Non Arab Muslims Live! | May 04, 2006 at 04:30 AM