Moussaoui juror falls ill
Jury deliberations in the Zacarias Moussaoui sentencing trial in Alexandria, Virginia, were abruptly recessed today when a juror called in sick.
The judge and lawyers on both sides were mulling whether to suspend further consideration of the case for the weekend.
Presiding Judge Leonie Brinkema called lawyers for the defence and prosecution into court for a hearing at the outset of what was to have been the jury’s fourth day of deliberations, reporting that a juror had called in sick.
It was decided that officials would check on the juror’s condition later today and then determine at that time whether deliberations should resume tomorrow.
Moussaoui, the confessed terrorist conspirator, seemed to take pleasure in the news.
The defendant, who was in the courtroom at the time that Brinkema announced the contingency plan for deliberations, exclaimed, “Moussaoui: Biological warfare.”
The jury has the job of deciding whether the September 11, 2001 conspirator should be executed or sentenced to life in prison.
The jury of nine men and three women had deliberated for 16 hours over three days. They have asked only one question – a request on Tuesday for a dictionary.
Brinkema denied that request, saying that giving them a dictionary would be like placing extraneous evidence in the jury room. She said jurors could submit a written question if they needed specific definitions.
The jury has only two choices: death or life in prison without possibility of release. If jurors cannot reach a unanimous decision, Brinkema automatically will sentence him to life.
The 42-page verdict form asks jurors to make findings on aggravating factors, such as whether Moussaoui acted with planning and premeditation, and mitigating factors, including whether he suffers from a mental illness and the extent of his role. Jurors are then asked to balance aggravating and mitigating factors in reaching their decision.
Earlier this month, the jury found Moussaoui, a 37-year-old French citizen, eligible for execution after more than 16 hours of deliberations.
Although Moussaoui was in jail on immigration charges on September 11, the jury ruled that lies he told federal agents in the month before September 11 kept them from identifying and stopping some of the hijackers.
Moussaoui pleaded guilty in April 2005.
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