[JURIST] A lawyer representing Zacarias Moussaoui [JURIST news archive] said Tuesday he would seek to compel the testimony of US Rep. Curt Weldon (R-PA) [official website], recently subpoenaed [CNN report] by the defense as a witness to the extent of the government's knowledge of the identities of 9/11 hijackers before the terrorist attacks. Weldon last week requested that the subpoena be quashed [PDF motion text; supporting memorandum], citing his congressional immunity.

Moussaoui pleaded guilty [JURIST report] last year to conspiracy charges [indictment] related to the 9/11 attacks, and is now entering his sentencing trial. He could face the death penalty if the government proves that if he had told officials about the attack, it might have been prevented. His lawyers believe testimony from Weldon could defeat this theory, as Weldon has alleged [press conference] that the government had identified many of the eventual 9/11 hijackers well in advance of the attacks, and still was unable to prevent their occurrence. AP has more.