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CNN Live At Daybreak

Defiant Zacarias Moussaoui Said He Does Not Trust Court Appointed Lawyers

Aired April 23, 2002 - 05:19   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Now to another high profile court case, that of Zacarias Moussaoui, the so-called 20th hijacker. His is the first criminal case connected to the September 11 terrorist attacks and our justice correspondent Kelli Arena reports that Moussaoui had some startling comments in court.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KELLI ARENA, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): A defiant Zacarias Moussaoui said he does not trust his court appointed lawyers, claiming they are agents of the same government that wants to put him to death. He asked a federal judge to let him defend himself or find a Muslim lawyer of his choosing.

Immediately after entering the courtroom, Moussaoui surprised his lawyers, requesting permission to speak. Lecturing the court for nearly an hour, flanked by two federal marshals, Moussaoui quoted the Koran and prayed to Allah for, among other things, the "destruction of the United States of America" and for "the destruction of the Jewish people and state."

Moussaoui, who investigators believe intended to be the 20th hijacker on September 11, contends he never told his lawyers anything of substance. Moussaoui pledged, "America, I am ready to fight, even with both hands tied behind my back."

One outside defense attorney said Moussaoui did not help his case.

WILLIAM MOFFITT, ATTORNEY: It's going to be treated as an admission that at least to the extent of his feelings about the country, OK, and it was probably, you know, unwise and reckless under the circumstances to make those kinds of statements in an American courtroom.

ARENA: Moussaoui lawyer Frank Dunham said the defense team "tried as hard as we could" to make the relationship work. Not only did Moussaoui argue to fire his lawyers...

(on camera): ... but he told the court that he didn't want a jury trial. That's because, in his words, only the judge could see through the tricks of the U.S. government.

(voice-over): His trial is scheduled to begin in September.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There's no danger to the prosecution from having a trial by a judge. The reason Moussaoui would want it is because he's well aware how the public views him and that there's probably an unparalleled level of hostility towards Mr. Moussaoui.

ARENA: Judge Leonie Brinkema ordered a psychological evaluation of Moussaoui before deciding how to proceed. What's more, she says she will not allow Moussaoui to represent himself in court without standby counsel, given the complexity of the case.

Kelli Arena, CNN, Washington.

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