Pantagraph

By EVAN PEREZ

Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the alleged mastermind of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, will be tried at a federal courthouse in lower Manhattan, just blocks from the former World Trade Center site, in the ultimate test of the Obama administration's strategy of trying terrorist suspects in U.S. civilian courts.

Prosecutors are expected to seek the death penalty for Mr. Mohammed and four others accused of plotting the Sept. 11 attacks, who are now held at Guantanamo Bay, said Attorney General Eric Holder.

Friday's announcement sets up what may be the trial of the decade, with the world's eyes fixed on lower Manhattan as the U.S. government lays out for the first time in a public courtroom how it thinks Mr. Mohammad plotted the deaths of nearly 3,000 people.

"After eight years of delay, those allegedly responsible for the attacks of September the 11th will finally face justice," Mr. Holder said. "I am confident in the ability of our courts to provide these defendants a fair trial, just as they have for over 200 years."

Mr. Holder said that the administration hopes to send a message to the world that the U.S. is giving the men a fair trial and upholding American values.

tLIB (11/13/2009)

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The Fort Hood killer can't be tried for terrorism because the military does not have that crime in their system. These alleged terrorists can be tried for terrorism in the civilian court. OR, should they be tried for Murder alone in the military tribunal?