Attorneys seek partial delay at shoebomber's sentencing
Boston Herald; Boston, Mass.; Jan 30, 2003

Abstract:
The judge last week ruled the classified information could not be used at Reid's sentencing because it must remain secret. Reid's defense can't share the information with him until it is declassified.

Three flight attendants who wrestled Reid and stopped him from lighting his shoes will be allowed to speak briefly from the jury box this afternoon. Scheduled to speak are flight attendants Cristina Jones, Hermis Moutardier and purser Carole Nelson. Four other crew members submitted written statements.

"It's not inappropriate that we hear from the victims," [William G. Young] said. "But again, the dispute here, a dispute that's been resolved by the guilty plea, is between the United States of America and Mr. Reid, not between these people and Mr. Reid, and they might have that in mind."

Shoebomber Richard Reid's attorneys want a federal judge not to sentence him for all of his crimes today, arguing classified information could prove "exculpatory" if the government ever releases it.

Vying to save the 29-year-old British man from a life sentence, the defense has asked Chief U.S. District Court Judge William G. Young to give Reid the minimum mandatory 30-year sentence for using a bomb and sentence him on the remaining seven counts later.

The judge last week ruled the classified information could not be used at Reid's sentencing because it must remain secret. Reid's defense can't share the information with him until it is declassified.
Several passengers and crew members aboard American Airlines Flight 63 have called for Reid to get life in prison for trying to ignite hiking boots packed with explosives Dec. 22, 2001.

"My clients don't understand why he's not being sentenced to death," said Boston attorney Geoffrey Nathan, who represents a French couple, Marc Bousseau and Martine Delombaert, who were seated several rows behind Reid.

The couple remains traumatized by their brush with death and the midair battle with Reid, Nathan said. Passengers used their belts to strap the struggling terrorist to his seat while doctors injected him with sedatives.

Three flight attendants who wrestled Reid and stopped him from lighting his shoes will be allowed to speak briefly from the jury box this afternoon. Scheduled to speak are flight attendants Cristina Jones, Hermis Moutardier and purser Carole Nelson. Four other crew members submitted written statements.

In a previous interview, Jones told the Herald she is forever changed by her struggle with Reid. He bit her on the hand as she tried to stop him from lighting matches to a fuse protruding from his shoe.

"Seeing him hunched over doing something and coming to the realization that whatever was happening was obviously dangerous. It changed my life," she said. "It's been a year of tremendous stress and turmoil."
Reid will be given an opportunity to address the court today, too.
But his attorneys told the judge Tuesday they don't want victims speaking during the hearing. "I just want the court to note our objection to those, to those speaking," Reid's attorney Owen S. Walker said.

Judge Young said he would allow three victims to speak and reserved the entire jury box of 18 seats for victims.
"It's not inappropriate that we hear from the victims," Young said. "But again, the dispute here, a dispute that's been resolved by the guilty plea, is between the United States of America and Mr. Reid, not between these people and Mr. Reid, and they might have that in mind."

Prosecutors said 10 members of the flight crew have asked to attend the hearing today, including Capt. Hans Mantel.

The judge yesterday refused to allow attorney Nathan to read a statement from the French couple who accuse authorities of negligence for letting Reid fly and are demanding damages from Osama bin Laden.

"When we saw him, we immediately thought of a terrorist because of his smell," said the statement submitted to the court by Bousseau and Delombaert.

Federal Marshals have tightened security at the courthouse for today's hearing, which will be broadcast on televisions in an overflow courtroom to accommodate the public.



Read about Recent Cases handled by Attorney Nathan

Meet Attorney Nathan | Proven Experience and Criminal Trials | Our Experts | Contact Attorney Nathan | Home

Message from Attorney Nathan
Quicktime Video
Realplayer Video

Call: 1-800-934-2921 or email

Website designed, Maintained and hosted by K William Kyros, Esq. and LawyerViews.com