Saturday, March 25, 2006
Moussaou Trial Is Not Like They Do It In Hollywood.
They filed into court three weeks ago — the grieving families, the press, the curious public, the jury — expecting to see the Bush Administration lay out in devastating detail why Zacarias Moussaoui, the only person convicted in the US for his connection to the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, should be put to death.
Instead, they are witnessing a farce, with the government and the FBI playing the part of the Keystone Kops by displaying an exceptional level of incompetence which has had even the victim's families roaring with laughter.
On Tuesday Ed MacMahon, Moussaoui’s defence laywer, cross-examined Michael Rolince, of the FBI. He was there to defend the bureau, but his answers brought down the house.
Mr Rolince was forced to concede that he had never seen an April 2001 intelligence briefing paper warning that bin Laden was preparing to mount an attack, even though he had signed it. Mr MacMahon then introduced an April 13, 2001, FBI communication, approved by Mr Rolince, giving warning about bin Laden’s threat inside the US. Mr Rolince said that he had not approved it.
“Is it possible for a document to say you approved it if you have not approved it?” the judge asked.
“Absolutely,” he replied.
Stuff like that would never happen in a Hollywood movie, because nobody could possibly make it up.
See all recent posts.
Instead, they are witnessing a farce, with the government and the FBI playing the part of the Keystone Kops by displaying an exceptional level of incompetence which has had even the victim's families roaring with laughter.
On Tuesday Ed MacMahon, Moussaoui’s defence laywer, cross-examined Michael Rolince, of the FBI. He was there to defend the bureau, but his answers brought down the house.
Mr Rolince was forced to concede that he had never seen an April 2001 intelligence briefing paper warning that bin Laden was preparing to mount an attack, even though he had signed it. Mr MacMahon then introduced an April 13, 2001, FBI communication, approved by Mr Rolince, giving warning about bin Laden’s threat inside the US. Mr Rolince said that he had not approved it.
“Is it possible for a document to say you approved it if you have not approved it?” the judge asked.
“Absolutely,” he replied.
Stuff like that would never happen in a Hollywood movie, because nobody could possibly make it up.
See all recent posts.
© Colcam 2005-2007
