Moussaoui barred from US courtroom
A federal judge has barred Zacarias Moussaoui, an 11 September conspirator, from being present during upcoming jury selection in his sentencing hearing in the only US case brought in the 2001 attacks.
The judge acted on Tuesday, after Moussaoui made several outbursts last week, rejecting his lawyers and prompting his expulsion from the courtroom four times in sessions with potential jurors.
A day before jury questioning was scheduled to begin, US District Judge Leonie Brinkema asked Moussaoui whether he would be able to remain quiet during the process.
The French citizen of Moroccan descent did not respond directly but proceeded to make further outbursts, declaring the judge and his court-appointed lawyers were his enemies and “organising my death.”
Brinkema then allowed him to depart the courtroom, shouting as he left, and ordered that Moussaoui, 37, not be allowed to attend the proceeding to determine whether he is executed or faces life in prison for six counts of conspiracy in connection with the 11 September attacks.