Terrorism

Moussaoui Judge Blasts Idea of National Security Court

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The judge who oversaw the trial of al-Qaida conspirator Zacarias Moussaoui criticized proposals for a special national security court at a speech Friday, saying federal courts are equipped to handle terrorism trials.

Speaking at American University law school, U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema said she disagrees with commentators who have described the Moussaoui trial as a circus, the Associated Press reports. She said the trial presented several challenges, including the defendant’s decision to defend himself and the government’s efforts to protect classified evidence in the case.

She also criticized the government’s decision to pursue the death penalty, saying it appeared to be politically motivated. Moussaoui was allowed access to additional evidence because it was a capital punishment case.

But Brinkema, who has also tried other terrorism cases, said the challenges were not insurmountable, the AP story says. “I’ve reached the conclusion that the system does work,” she said. Moussaoui eventually pleaded guilty to conspiring with al-Qaida to hijack aircraft.

Brinkema alluded to suggestions by Attorney General Michael Mukasey and others that a new national security court should be created to handle terrorism cases. Brinkema said the notion of such a court should “send shivers down the spine of everyone.”

Mukasey urged “careful scrutiny” of the proposal for a national security court in a Wall Street Journal commentary in August.

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