A top Justice Department official has refuted rumors that trials in lower Manhattan for accused 9/11 plotter Khalid Shaikh Mohammed and his accomplices are out of the question. "We haven't made a final decision and it's not off the table," said Acting Deputy Attorney General Gary Grindler, adding that feds are "evaluating the venue that has already been announced by the attorney general" and weighing "other options," more ›

An Obama official confirmed rumors yesterday that the administration is dropping Manhattan as the trial site for alleged terrorists who helped plan 9/11. The wind-down began earlier this week when Mayor Bloomberg started whining about the cost of the trials, while simultaneously announcing massive cuts to the city’s budget including to its jobs sector. The trials—which he once hailed as a powerful symbol for New Yorkers—would cost $1 billion, more than the cash-strapped city can afford. Soon, community boards, downtown residents and Gov. Paterson all withdrew support, and now Obama lackeys say he’s “considering other options.” more ›

Lower Manhattan residents who are fearful of the plan to host the trial of Khalid Shaikh Mohammed and four other accused 9/11 plotters in a Foley Square federal courthouse have urged the city to relocate the legal proceedings to Governor's Island. And if that doesn't work, they've drafted a shortlist of other locations including White Plains, West Point, Stewart Airport, and Orange County. more ›

New York City's community boards are known for being thorns in the side of city government, lobbying, often effectively, to influence the policy of councilmembers and city agencies. But it's rare to see a community board — by design the lowest wrung of municipal government — challenge the President of the United States. And it's even rarer to see them making headway. more ›

A woman accused of trying to kill American soldiers and FBI agents in Afghanistan begged a Manhattan federal judge to give jurors genetic tests to make sure they aren't Jews. "If they have a Zionist or Israeli background...they are all mad at me," said Aafia Siddiqui. "I have a feeling everyone here is them — subject to genetic testing....They should be excluded if you want to be fair." more ›

Increased security during the trials of Khalid Shaikh Mohammed and four other suspected 9/11 plotters will cost more than $200 million per year, according to the Bloomberg administration. The figure comes from a letter that Mayor Bloomberg sent to the director of the nation's Office of Management and Budget that outlines the anticipated security expenses and requests full federal reimbursement, the Times reports. more ›

It doesn't seem like political pressure or security concerns will stop the trials of five suspected terrorists from taking place in New York — but the city's prejudiced residents might. The lawyers representing Khalid Shaikh Mohammed and the four other suspected 9/11 plotters might ask a judge to relocate the trial, according to the Times. more ›

In a court case that might turn out closely foreshadowing the much-hyped trials of Khalid Shaikh Mohammed and four other suspected 9/11 plotters, terror suspect Ahmed Khalfan Ghailani has asked a Manhattan judge to dismiss his indictment because authorities denied him his constitutional right to a speedy trial. more ›

One of the confessed masterminds behind the 9/11 attacks, along with four other killers, may be flown from Guantanamo Bay to face death penalty trials in the Big Apple. Yes, we're talking about ex-Al Qaeda "military commander" Khalid Shaikh Mohammed—who admitted last year to being a terrorist "to the bone", said he wished to be a martyr and even played critic to a courtroom sketch artist's drawing of him. more ›