Paterson Says Terrorist Trials Shouldn't Be In NYC

Gov. David Paterson followed former Mayor Rudy Giuliani's lead yesterday, when he denounced plans to hold the trial for Kalid Shaikh Mohammed and four other suspected terrorists in New York.

Paterson spoke out against hosting the high-profile, high-security trial in the city, telling the Daily News: "This is not a decision that I would have made...Our country was attacked on its own soil on Sept. 11, 2001, and New York was very much the epicenter of that attack. Over 2,700 lives were lost. It's very painful; we're still having trouble getting over it. We still haven't been able to rebuild that site, and having those terrorists tried so close to the attack is going to be an encumbrance on all of New Yorkers."

While many Republicans echoed Giuliani and Paterson's sentiments, Democrats like Hillary Clinton came out in support of holding the trial in New York, Newsday reports. For his part, Mohammed likely wants the trial in New York, as upon his detainment, the so-called "jackal" asked for two things: a lawyer, and to be sent to New York, according to a Times profile.

In an over-the-top package on the terrorism trial, the Daily News files three additional stories on case — going so far as to send sports columnist Mike Lupica all the way to Texas to pen a piece about how the city of Dallas never got a chance to try JFK-shooter Lee Harvey Oswald because he was gunned down first. Later in his column, Lupica voices his opposition for a New York City trial, noting it "will dominate the city and hold it hostage and bring back the day and none of the dead. This bum will get the stage he wants and tell the city it is a target all over again."

Lupica's biggest fears could become realities if Mohammed chooses to he serve as his own lawyer — a situation an ACLU lawyer told the paper is relatively probable. "It's quite possible that these defendants will undertake to represent themselves," Ben Wizner said. "They've been trying to fire their lawyers the whole time so they can be executed."

And what about the jury? The Daily News wraps up its balls-to-the-wall coverage with a piece on the "12 New Yorkers willing to put their lives on hold — and maybe on the line — to try the mastermind behind the biggest crime in U.S. history." Though the trial could be long, dangerous, and stressful, it might not turn out being too bad. Recently, some New Yorkers have been lining up for jury duty, and a spot on the jury for the trials of Mohammed and the four other suspects might be the only way to see the drama play out, because the trials will take place federal courts where filming is banned, the Post reports.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Ben Muessig in News on November 16, 2009 6:15 PM

Comments [rss]

vespavirgin

But think of the tourism dollars! And all the t-shirt sales.

KoiDragon

When did New Yorkers become so weak-minded? Everyone against this trial in NYC has the wrong attitude. Let's all show the world that we will not let any act of terrorism weaken our way of life. Bring the terrorists back to NYC and let them see that we will never fear them.

These people are not "masterminds" anymore. This is not Al Capone in a cushy prison cell. These people are held under tight security and have no way of contacting outsiders. To believe that they can somehow escape and pull together some attack within moments is complete paranoia.

The whole "not in my backyard" way of life is just selfish and weak.

learnedhand

If I'm his attorney (or rather, team of attorneys -- I'm sure he won't have a public defender), I move for a change of venue since no NYC jury will ever be impartial with the constant reminder of 9/11 a half mile away. If the judge keeps it in NY, there's your first appealable issue.

KoiDragon

So where then should the trial be moved? 9/11 was an event that every american would be partial to. I don't think a jury in CA could be any less partial than a jury in NYC.

learnedhand

Not sure if there's any civilian court that could properly handle this case, though again, being a stones throw from Ground Zero certainly can be argued as prejudicial and would likely be raised on appeal.

savedbyzero

"I was the deputy who they wouldn't let have a gun."

Let's have the trial in New Jerzzzzy.

gothamguy

"This is not a decision that I would have made"

And you will never be able to make a decision like this, because your life in politics is hurtling towards oblivion. Don't let the door hit ya' on the way out.

PacificGatePost

Events wherein people using powerful weapons, funded with hundreds of millions of dollars, launch attacks against a country, its people, its embassies and other outposts, are not just “criminal acts,” they are Wars.

http://pacificgatepost.com/2009/11/show-trial-goes-to-new-york.html

John_Matrix

move over clausewitz, we have a new authority in town! and he has a website that he's plugging, so he's legit.

inoyourider

Fuck that, try them and hang 'em high.

Or secretly drown them in pig's blood.

And for the record Lupica is a whiny little bitch-weasel.

tingo

Paterson all says he has a chance at being governor.

The man's not right most of the time.

On another tip...how about Gothamist implement two 'comments' sections? One for real comments, and one for comments like mine called 'Ba-dump-bump', after a comedic snare drum? I think even the darkest stories instigate a Ba-dump-bump moment that aren't necessarily someone's true feelings, but they just can't resist.

Snoopy

How about hijacking the plane they are coming from and blowing it up? No loss of human life and everyone will go home happy? In fact if they can put Giulianni, Patterson, and Obama on the same plane, it would be a win win situation.

One thing we don't need in this city is more opportunities for the towel heads to blow themselves up because of Allah.

austin5454

Umm...I am not sure if I correctly understood what you were saying. Can you rephrase that?

aspiringrapper

Ok, so now two irrelevant politicians have weighed in. Who is next?

Mr Mel

Let's hold the trials here where they belong. What are the critics saying? They'll blow up NYC. Not going to happen. If we cave on this, they will have won.

NYCSniper

I guess the point is why grant them a trial according to the rights of U.S. citizens? This can open up a whole can of worms, for example, if he decides to represent himself (which rumor has it he is), he can have access to phones, names, military records, etc. which he may be able to pass on to his cronies. Also, it brings up the possibility of dismissing evidence (I was tortured, please dismiss), and being acquitted altogether on a technicality like a hung jury.

Maybe a lawyer or someone who really knows the law can chime in on these possibilities?