Federal appeals court in Virginia rejects hearing for 9/11 conspirator Zacarias Moussaoui
By APTuesday, March 2, 2010
Appeals court refuses to rehear Moussaoui’s case
RICHMOND, Va. — A federal appeals court has denied a rehearing for convicted Sept. 11 conspirator Zacarias Moussaoui (zak-uh-REE’-uhs moo-SOW’-ee).
He is serving a life prison term after pleading guilty to helping plan the attacks. Since his sentencing, he has said he lied when testifying that he plotted to hijack a fifth jetliner in the 2001 terrorist attacks.
A three-judge panel of the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in January rejected his claims that he was denied access to evidence and the right to choose his own attorney.
Moussaoui asked for a rehearing before the full appeals court. The court issued a two-paragraph order Tuesday denying the motion.
Moussaoui’s attorney, Justin Antonipillai (ahn-TOHN-uh-puh-lay), did not immediately return a telephone message.
