Mukasey: Don't Execute The 9/11 Plotters And Make Them Martyrs

LONDON — U.S. Attorney General Michael Mukasey said Friday he hopes the men charged with participating in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks are not executed if found guilty to avoid making martyrs of them.

Mukasey said many terrorists want to be martyrs and that by sentencing them to death, U.S. authorities risk granting those wishes. He made the comments while answering a question after a talk at the London School of Economics.

However, Mukasey said that the punishment would be fitting if the accused are convicted.

"One of them at least is proud enough of it to have written to his wife that he thinks he is innocent because it was only 3,000 (people who died in the attacks)," he said. "If those are not poster children for the death penalty I don't know who is."

Still, Mukasey said he leans against the death penalty in this case because "many of them want to be martyrs."

The attorney general said his view was a personal opinion. The Justice Department will participate in the trial, he said, but the Defense Department will be in charge.

The U.S. military is moving ahead with plans to try six men at Guantanamo Bay. The six high-profile detainees include Khalid Sheikh Mohammed _ the alleged architect of the attacks against the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon in Washington _ and Mohammed al-Qahtani, who allegedly would have been one of the hijackers if immigration officers had not prevented him from entering the United States.

Military prosecutors have requested the death penalty, but a Pentagon panel must agree to the prosecutors' recommendations before they are presented to the defense and the military court, U.S. Justice spokesman Dean Boyd said in Washington. That panel has yet to issue its ruling, he said.

Comments

[wadenelson1]

He doesn't want to take a chance on them ending up with 72 virgins, when he couldn't even get into the Emperor's club.

[gonnuts]

It would make sense that one would want to save oneself from being executed and he's right, I would rather see Muck-a-case', bush, cheney, and all the rest of of the planners of 9/11 placed in a cell for the rest of their lives. Being the control freaks they are that would be a far worse punishment.

[landmine]

We are a species that likes to kill. With the proper rationalization, we all like it.
All killers must be killed...oops.

[tumblewind]

Considering the fact, we only have the governments word that these men are guilty of plotting the 9/11 attacks! I haven't seen any evidence presented that they actually took part in it. The last I knew it was not available for the public scrutiny. No one was allowed to see it. I am not inclined to believe anything that comes out of these folks (Bush Administration's) mouths. As far as I can see the people they are trying are all ready Martyrs to the Bush Regime's Reign! Most of us don't have a clue if these people are actually guilty or innocents being railroaded for Bush's political agenda! From what I have read they are going to be found guilty regardless. So Mukasey's remarks are meaningless!

[robertlockwoodmills]

I agree with Mukasey. Life in prison without parole would be perfect for Cheney.

[zarkon]

Interesting.

One Love.

[Purple Girl]

Well of course he doesn't wan tthem executed that would ruin the Deal made with them by the Inc's. Plus this probably refers more to the Incs who instigated the entire scenario. We 'can't ' find Binny becasue he's been in Cheney's Office, Drinking Cognac and smoking Cuban Cigars.
Lets be honest - first ,the targets of 9/11 were clear - the military industrial complex. The attacks were aime dat them- Not US (we just are Forced to take the bullets for Them).
Second Binny's family has not been 'their pepoles' greatest asset- They are responsible for the Woes of the Saudi people (that is still a cast type system) and the Region. These 'royal' families ahve betrayed their people as much as 'our' Inc's have betrayed US and them. These 'royal 'families have worked with these Incs to hoard Gifts from God or Nature given to mankind to help them as the Stewards of this Planet. Crimes Against Humanity- when essential 'gifts' are controlled by meglomaniacs and Profiteers. As much as I want those held responsible in our Country - I also want those in th eME held responsible for this High Treason to mankind.

[dax49]

mukassy must be following orders again- what is george up to now

[sebocd]

The legacy of Aquinas Mukasey: SUMMA CONTRA MARTYRALI

SYNOPSIS: How to tell a genuine martyr from a pseudo-martyr just trying to save his ass..

[naturallight]

Why did NORAD stand down?

Why were there rivers of molten metal at WTC 1 and 2?

Why did Building 7 collapse?

[sebocd]

Telegram to Attorney General Michael Mukasey:

I Iike your style, brother.

Signed, Nelson Mandela

[ricchase]

Might I suggest, Mr. Mukasey, that some truths are indeed very difficult to live with? Conscience can be unrelenting.

[TheRealDude]

!!!LOL!!!

[sebocd]

Is U.S. Attorney General Michael Mukasey's rationale dumb or dumber? I'm not for executing anyone but Mukasey must be senile. Can you imagine a judge articulating the thinking in applying a sentence of life imprisonment? And a new pecident to compensate for the boredom of the insanity plea will be conceived called " the martydom plea". As Lady Justice tries to reposition her blindfold to where it should be, she notes, "Come on Mike you can't have it both ways. I deserve better than this!"

[PeaceLoveVote]

Guantanomo will be used to try OUR OWN that are responsible.
We will hold them there.

[dsm]

Those who benefitted more from 9/11 than anyone else are the neocons

They knew, but did nothing
http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/they-knew-but-did-nothing/2008/03/07/1204780065676.html