Life in prison for Moussaoui
A federal jury today rejected the death penalty for admitted terrorist Zacarias Moussaoui and instead sentenced him to life in prison without the possibility of parole for his role in the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.
Moussaoui sat passively as the verdict was read, defying the judge's order that he stand. But as he filed out of the courtroom, he shouted, "America, you lost! I won!"
While I don't have any sympathy for someone as disturbingly nuts as Moussaoui, I'm pleased to see him get life instead of a death sentence. There's little doubt in my mind that the jurors were aware of their ability to make a martyr out of such an insignificant person. It shows a whole lot more wisdom in dealing with extremists than anyone in the administration has shown.
Sure, it's another chance for right-wing hacks to beat swords on shields on talk about how they wouldn't have been afraid to give the guy what's coming to him. But that's pretty much all they do, day after day.
Moussaoui sat passively as the verdict was read, defying the judge's order that he stand. But as he filed out of the courtroom, he shouted, "America, you lost! I won!"
While I don't have any sympathy for someone as disturbingly nuts as Moussaoui, I'm pleased to see him get life instead of a death sentence. There's little doubt in my mind that the jurors were aware of their ability to make a martyr out of such an insignificant person. It shows a whole lot more wisdom in dealing with extremists than anyone in the administration has shown.
Sure, it's another chance for right-wing hacks to beat swords on shields on talk about how they wouldn't have been afraid to give the guy what's coming to him. But that's pretty much all they do, day after day.
posted by Matt Sandwich | 5:50 PM
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