The New York Times reports that grief-striken relatives of 9/11 victims testified during the terrorism trial of Zacarias Moussaoui this week, but their evidence was designed to save the accused 9/11 conspirator, not condemn him. The family members were put on the stand by Moussaoui’s defense lawyers in the hope their tearful testimony would persuade the jury in the penalty phase of Moussaoui’s trial to spare his life.
The witnesses, the first of as many as twelve who may testify for the defense, cannot legally say what penalty they think Moussaoui should receive. The jury is supposed to infer that they are opposed to his execution from the fact they are witnesses for the defense.
Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/20/us/20moussaoui.html?_r=1&oref=slogin