The only terrorist on trial for the September 11 attacks, Zacarias Moussaoui, will be convicted to life in prison, after the jury rejected the death penalty.
In order for the death penalty to be carried out, the jury has to be unanimous. Apparently, three jurors objected to the death penalty.
Moussaoui, a French citizen of Moroccan decent, pleaded guilty last year to six counts of terrorism, although his role in the 9/11 attacks is thought to be minor.
Moussaoui came to the US in February of 2001, but was arrested in August for overstaying his visa, three weeks before the attacks.
He said he would have flown a fifth plane, destined to hit the White House, but officials believe he was never planned to be part of the original attack, and only may have been used to carry out follow-up attacks.
The trial also shed some light on the failings of the US government regarding the terrorist attacks. Apparently, the arresting officer, Harry Samit had repeatedly warned his superiors that Moussaoui was a terrorist, but was stonewalled by his bosses.
Moussaoui’s lawyers argued that the man was mentally ill, a paranoid schizophrenic. None of the jurors however thought this should be considered a mitigating factor in the trial.
President Bush said in a written statement issued by the White House, “Our cause is right and the outcome is certain: Justice will be served.”
