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9/11 mastermind takes lead role in Gitmo courtroom
(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-09-24 09:56 The judge also disclosed he is scheduled to retire in April. If the trial is not completed by then, he said a new judge would be appointed. During breaks, Mohammed pivoted in his seat at his defense table and chatted amiably in Arabic with his co-defendants, who sat at their own tables arrayed behind him -- despite complaints that he used a similar opportunity in June to pressure the others to reject their Pentagon-appointed defense lawyers. His co-defendants later denied they were intimidated. Kohlmann initially proposed beginning Tuesday's pretrial hearing with questions from lesser-known detainees. But the other four defendants agreed one by one that Mohammed, seated at the table closest to the judge, should go first. All five face the death penalty if convicted of their roles in the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania. Mohammed also has offered himself as a problem solver. With his co-defendant Ramzi Binalshibh refusing to appear in court on Monday, Mohammed raised his hand and volunteered to help persuade him to come. The three others agreed to help as well and all four sent letters to Binalshibh. Binalshibh, accused of helping the Sept. 11 hijackers enter the United States and find flight schools, agreed to leave his cell and came to court on Tuesday. In court, Binalshibh followed up Mohammed's questions about the judge's religion. "As far as I know, your last name is Kohlmann, which is a Jewish name, not a Christian name," Binalshibh said. The judge said his statement was inaccurate. At the close of the hearing, Mohammed had one last request on behalf of his co-defendants. Noting that all five are Muslims, he said the clothing of some women in the courtroom was too revealing for them and asked the judge to ensure they are dressed "appropriately and modestly." "That request is denied," Kohlmann responded immediately.
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