Moussaoui told 'lethal' lies

2006-03-29 21:44

Alexandria - The prosecution said on Wednesday that Zacarias Moussaoui had "lied with lethal intent" as it pressed the case for him to be executed for his role in the September 11 attacks.

There was no letup in the prosecution's insistence that the 37-year-old Frenchman could have prevented the hijacked plane strikes on New York and Washington in 2001, as closing arguments in the death penalty trial started.

"Zacarias Moussaou came to this country to kill as many Americans as he could.

"In this trial you have heard from the defendant himself that is exactly what he did," prosecutor David Raskin told the jury.

"He was supposed to fly the fifth plane into the White House on September 11," Raskin added, referring to Moussaoui's own surprise testimony this week.

"People died in these attacks and they would be alive today if the defendant had told the truth.

"That is why he is eligible for the death penalty and that is why we are here."

Raskin charged that Moussaou had "lied with lethal intent".

Moussaoui, who was detained one month before September 11, has pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges linked to the attacks.

'What is a lie?'

The prosecution has demanded the death penalty saying that Moussaoui contributed to the almost 3 000 deaths by not telling investigators about the planned attacks.

"What is a lie? A lie is a false statement meant to deceive. That is exactly what the defendant did when he was arrested."

Judge Leonie Brinkema has given the prosecution and defence one hour each to make their closing arguments to the jury.

Brinkema would then give her instructions before the jury withdraws to consider its decision.

The panel is to decide whether Moussaoui is eligible for the death penalty.

If it decides yes, then new hearings will start to decide on whether he should be executed.

- AFP