Rot in hell

A jury has chosen to give Zacarias Moussaoui a life sentence rather than the death penalty.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. - Al-Qaida conspirator Zacarias Moussaoui escaped the death penalty Wednesday as a jury decided he deserved life in prison instead for his role in the bloodiest terrorist attack in U.S. history. "America, you lost," Moussaoui taunted.

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

I have no problem with the jury's decision. If it was me, I'd probably have voted for death. The arguments for life instead are very strong. Captain Ed points out Mouassoui is now likely to be forgotten with time where as a death sentence would have made him a cause celebre for some. I think Ed is right. Moussaoui will spend the rest of his life in solitary. God will pass the final verdict and my post's title is the likely outcome then.

Many of my favorite bloggers are also commenting on the verdict- Hooah Wife, Don Surber, Don Singleton, Professor Bainbridge, James Joyner, Stop the ACLU, Wizbang, Michelle Malkin, Iowa Voice, Rhymes with Right,