NYC Magazine » Khalid Shaikh Mohammed

New York Tightens Security For Terrorist Trial

Yelena Mandenberg — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 22:29:17 +0000

Now that a high-profile terrorist is coming to face trial in New York City, security must be heightened, but at what cost to New Yorkers?

Checkpoints, extra security (especially around the jail where Khalid Shaikh Mohammed will be held), access to nearby streets may be cut off, and plenty of plainclothes officers will be keeping the usual New York crowds in check.

While New York has been the destination to other high-profile terrorist trials before, those were of a different caliber and took place in a different time. Ramzi Ahmen Yousef, who was one of the masterminds behind the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, had his trial here in New York City, along with Omar Abdel Rahman, who was convicted for the 1995 plot to blow up the United Nations and other New York landmarks.

The courthouse will be secured by United States marshals, who are responsible for securing the courthouse inside and out, as well as transporting Mohammed to the courthouse safely.

The suspects will be (most likely) held at the Metropolitan Correctional Center, a jail adjacent to two federal court buildings in Lower Manhattan. The jail is known for being home to almost all infamous defendants in New York City, from terrorists to mobsters.

Mohammed will be a guest of the jail’s high security wing, which is called 10-South. It is a fortress like unit will a tiny amount of cells that are usually reserved for prisoners awaiting trail for the most violent crimes.

Other high profiles places in New York will also receive extra protection for the duration of the trial.

Some people, such as Representative Peter T. King, a Long Island Republican says that trying those responsible for 9/11 in New York City opens us up for more terrorist attacks.

Security all over the city will be beefed up, and may be slightly inconvenient, so New Yorkers everywhere should be prepared.

Facts About The Mohammed Trial

Igor Derysh — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 16:23:52 +0000

This is who we're afraid of?

The upcoming trial of Khalid Sheik Mohammed and four other Guantanamo Bay detainees has set off the talking heads on the news channels. I thought that I would take this opportunity to go beyond what the left and the right is saying for political points and address several facts that every American should know before they’ve made up their mind on whether Mohammed should be tried or not.

1) Trying Mohammed in New York doesn’t raise the risk of a terrorist attack

Considering that New York City has seen several major terrorist trials, there is no reason to believe that this trial will set off something the other ones didn’t. Security will also be raised.

2) Mohammed will not get off because of waterboarding or a technicality

It is unlikely that the prosecutors will introduce Mohammed’s statements after he was waterboarded and therefore the way that he was treated will likely be irrelevant in the case, certainly not to the point where it will influence a decision.

Also, the government wouldn’t be trying Mohammed if they thought he could get off on a technicality, there are still hundreds of Gitmo detainees that haven’t been tried because of this worry.

3) There is no jury impartial to Mohammed

There is simply no jury that can be found that is not biased towards Mohammed after he’s been on the front pages of newspapers for years.

4) A civilian trial is the only way to convict Mohammed

The military tribunals are largely unconstitutional and Mohammed would not get a conviction that could stand up in a military tribunal after the Supreme Court has ruled on the unconstitutionality of the military courts.

5) Mohammed’s worst enemy is himself

Assuming that Mohammed will do the same thing in civilian court that he has been doing for years, he will be the biggest challenge to his trial. If he turns the trial into a “political theater” and begin to brag about his allegiance with al-Qaeda, he will be all but ensuring himself the death penalty.

Families of 9/11 Victims Re-open Old Wounds

Igor Derysh — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 00:48:31 +0000

Since the news came out about known-terrorist Khalid Shaikh Mohammed being tried in New York City early this morning, families of 9/11 victims have been quick to speak out and share their opinions.

Some are happy that he is facing trial here in New York, just blocks away from the scene where 3,000 people died, some believe he should have been hung right away, a few believe he should be tried by a military tribunal, and still others wish that we didn’t have to keep relieving the painful memories of that day.

Jim Riches, whose firefighter son, Jimmy, died in the attacks, welcomed the decision. He expressed his feelings to the New York Times. “Let them come to New York,” said Mr. Riches, a retired deputy chief with New York Fire Department. “Let them get on trial. Let’s do it the right way, for all the world to see what they’re like. Let’s go. It’s been too long. Let’s get some justice.”

Riches has spent much of his time following the court preceeding. He first went to Washington D.C., where Justice Department officials discussed the case. He then went to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, where he attended a hearing, where he claims that Khalid Shaikh Mohammed gloated about the attacks.

He further told the New York Times, “My son died. I want to speak for him. I’ll go wherever I have to go. I want to see these guys convicted.”

Margit Arias-Kastell, whose husband Adam worked in Tower 2 of the World Trade Center, had a totally different opinion than Mr. Richards.

“It’s totally unfair,” said Ms. Arias-Kastell, who was among scores of relatives of victims who signed a letter opposing regular criminal trials for the suspected plotters. “Why do we have to constantly relive this? When do we get to be at peace? They should be hung.”

In a statement, Mayor Michael Bloomberg said he supported the decision to bring Mr. Mohammed to New York, and said New York police officers and federal agents would be vigilant about security. “It is fitting that 9/11 suspects face justice near the World Trade Center site where so many New Yorkers were murdered,” Mr. Bloomberg said.

Whether we want it or not, however, the trial is coming, and all New Yorkers will wind up reliving the events of that terrible day once again.

September 11 Suspect to Have Trial in NY

Yelena Mandenberg — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 16:35:45 +0000

The self-described mastermind behind the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, will be tried in federal court in New York City, along with four others who are also accused of helping plot the devastating attack.

This is all a big part of finally shutting down Guantanamo Bay. The detainees are not being moved right away, because of a law congress enacted earlier this year that says lawmakers must be given 45 days notice before the executive branch decides to move and Guantanamo Bay prisoners onto United States soil.

Closing Guantanamo Bay was one of the first things President Barack Obama said he would do as president. “I’m absolutely convinced that Khalid Shaikh Mohammed will be subject to the most exacting demands of justice,” Mr. Obama said. “The American people insist on it, and my administration insists on it.”

One of the biggest problems with closing Guantanamo Bay was decided what to do with the prisoners. Many states when asked claimed they did not have enough law enforcement of resources to safely house the detainees, which is when New York City stepped up to the plate.

In March, the administration has brought Ahmed Khalfan Ghailani, suspected of the 1998 bombing of the United States embassies in Africa, to face trail in New York, which absolutely no problem.

Senator Charles F. Schumer said that the city is very well accustomed to handling high-profile terror suspects. “Bottom line is we have had terrorists housed in New York before,” Mr. Schumer said at a March news conference at the Capitol with other Democratic leaders. “They’ve been housed safely.”

“The main concern is bringing these terrorists to justice and making sure the public is safe,” Mr. Schumer continued. “I have faith that the administration will do both.”