Thanks for the Confession

AP: Moussaoui Removed From Court for Outburst---

ALEXANDRIA, Va. - Proclaiming "I am al-Qaida," Zacarias Moussaoui was escorted from a federal courtroom in Alexandria on Monday at the outset of jury selection in his terrorist conspiracy trial. As he was removed by federal marshals, he shouted, "This trial is a circus."

The acknowledged al-Qaida conspirator, often a volatile figure in the courtroom, got almost immediately into an argument with U.S. District Judge Leonie M. Brinkema, demanding "I want to be heard" and saying of his lawyers, "These people do not represent me."

He left with his hands on his head, offering no resistance.

The outburst came as the first group of prospective jurors gathered to answer a questionnaire that will be used to help the judge and the lawyers select 12 jurors and six alternates. That's expected to take a month, setting the stage for the trial to begin March 6 on whether Moussaoui will be put to death or given life in prison.

Moussaoui is the only person charged in this country in the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. He pleaded guilty to six conspiracy counts, admitting he came to the U.S. to join al-Qaida attacks on buildings but denying specific knowledge of the Sept. 11 plot.

The 37-year-old Frenchman of Moroccan descent has vowed to fight for his life. He entered the courtroom wearing a green jumpsuit, the word "prisoner" on his back. He spoke calmly but defiantly. He held his hands behind his back, neither handcuffed nor shackled.
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Moussaoui has vowed "to fight every inch against the death penalty."

Arguing for execution, prosecutors contend Moussaoui could have told investigators what he knew when arrested instead of lying about his intentions. The defense argues that Moussaoui knew less about 9/11 than the government, citing investigations that turned up multiple missed opportunities that might have headed off the attacks.

Do we really need a trial? He's admitted he is al-Qaida. Al-Qaida isn't a uniformed military, belonging to any country. Execute him. He would have boarded a plane and joined in the murder of 3,000 Americans without blinking. This kind of cold-blooded cowardice needs a strong response. No quarter.

Have fun with the death penalty, Moussaoui.