Well, Color Me Surprised

The jury in the Zacarias Moussaoui trial returned its verdict this afternoon, about 90 minutes ago in fact. Against the weight of all expectations, including mine, the jury determined that Moussaoui should not be executed, but sentenced to life in prison. It being a federal trial, there is no parole. The jury apparently decided not to give Moussaoui what he wanted most - martyrdom. It will be interesting to see what the jurors have to say for themselves, if they say anything at all.

Major props to my colleagues in the FPD office in the Eastern District of Virginia for getting this result in what must have been the most trying (no pun intended) case of their lives.