JURIST - Paper Chase: Moussaoui testimony conflicts with statements from 9/11 mastermind

[JURIST] Jurors in the Zacarias Moussaoui [BBC profile; JURIST news archive] sentencing trial were left in a quandary Monday after hearing conflicting testimony from Moussaoui and Khalid Shaikh Mohammed [Wikipedia profile], the alleged mastermind behind the Sept. 11 attacks [JURIST news archive]. Taking the stand in his own defense, Moussaoui said he was part of the Sept. 11 plot and planned to fly a fifth plane into the White House [JURIST report] along with "shoe bomber" Richard Reid [BBC profile]. Subsequently, however, the jury was read written statements by Mohammed, currently in US custody, indicating that the plan was for Moussaoui to participate in a second round of attacks on the US unrelated to Sept. 11.

Moussaoui's testimony came as a surprise since he has previously denied any involvement in the Sept. 11 plot, and his attorneys have suggested that he is seeking the death penalty to achieve "martyrdom." The jury is expected to hear statements Tuesday from another al-Qaida member, Mustafa Ahmed al-Hawsawi [Wikipedia profile], suspected of providing money to the terrorist group. AP has more.

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