Life for Moussaoui

9/11 hijacker wannabe Zacarias Moussaoui dodged the death penalty thanks to a generous jury (from AP):

A federal jury rejected the death penalty for al-Qaida conspirator Zacarias Moussaoui on Wednesday and decided he must spend life in prison for his role in the deadliest terrorist attack in U.S. history.

After seven days of deliberation, the nine men and three women rebuffed the government's appeal for death for the only person charged in this country in the four suicide jetliner hijackings that killed nearly 3,000 people on Sept. 11, 2001.

Three jurors decided Moussaoui had only limited knowledge of the Sept. 11 plot and three described his role in the attacks as minor, if he had any role at all.

Moussaoui, as he was led out of the courtroom after the 15-minute hearing, said: "America, you lost. I won." He clapped his hands as he was escorted away.

Nice job, jury.

By the way, the "life" as it were that Zac will be living will not exactly be a little slice of heaven. Here's a description of what he can expect (h/t Hedgehog):

Solitary cells measure 7 feet, 1 inch by 12 feet, 1 inch, but at least half the floor space is filled with fixtures. Other cells are 10 feet by 12 feet. About a third of the cells are for solitary confinement.

Cell amenities currently include a concrete bed, an 18-inch-high, fixed-in-place concrete stool, a fixed writing shelf, knobless stainless-steel shower and a stainless-steel unit containing a seatless toilet and knobless wash basin.

Supermax prisoners live in virtual isolation and are rarely allowed out of their cells.

Cameras and microphones record nearly everything they do. In the case of terrorist inmates, who often are imprisoned under special national security provisions, that can include conversations with lawyers.

Of course I fully expect several colleges and universities to award him honorary degrees and invite him to speak at their graduation ceremonies. At least he'll have something to do.

UPDATE from Scrappleface:

As the news broke that 9/11 conspirator Zacarias Moussaoui had escaped the death penalty, al Qaeda leader Usama Bin Laden released an audiotape declaring that he had decided to commute the death sentences of the 3,000 victims of 9/11.