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Moussaoui Juror Calls Out Sick NewsMax.com Wires ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- Jury deliberations in the Zacarias Moussaoui sentencing trial were abruptly recessed Thursday when a juror called in sick, and the judge and lawyers on both side were mulling whether to suspend further consideration of the case for the weekend.
Presiding Judge Leonie Brinkema called lawyers for the defense and prosecution into court for a hearing at the outset of what was to have been the jury's fourth day of deliberations, reporting that a juror had called in sick.
It was decided that officials would check on the juror's condition later Thursday and then determine at that time whether deliberations should resume Friday.
Moussaoui, the confessed terrorist conspirator, seemed to take pleasure in the news.
The defendant, who was in the courtroom at the time that Brinkema announced the contingency plan for deliberations, exclaimed, "Moussaoui: Biological warfare."
Story Continues Below The jury has the job of deciding whether the Sept. 11, 2001 conspirator should be executed or sentenced to life in prison.
The jury of nine men and three women had deliberated for 16 hours over three days. They have asked only one question - a request on Tuesday for a dictionary. Brinkema denied that request, saying that giving them a dictionary would be like placing extraneous evidence in the jury room. She said jurors could submit a written question if they needed specific definitions.
The jury has only two choices: death or life in prison without possibility of release. If jurors cannot reach a unanimous decision, Brinkema automatically will sentence him to life.
The 42-page verdict form asks jurors to make findings on aggravating factors, such as whether Moussaoui acted with planning and premeditation, and mitigating factors, including whether he suffers from a mental illness and the extent of his role. Jurors are then asked to balance aggravating and mitigating factors in reaching their decision.
The 37-year-old Frenchman is the only person in this country charged in the Sept. 11 attacks.
Earlier this month, this jury found Moussaoui eligible for execution after more than 16 hours of deliberations. Although Moussaoui was in jail on immigration charges on Sept. 11, the jury ruled that lies he told federal agents in the month before Sept. 11 kept them from identifying and stopping some of the hijackers.
Moussaoui pleaded guilty in April 2005.
© 2006 Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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