ALEXANDRIA, Virginia - The judge in the death penalty trial of confessed Al Qaeda conspirator Zacarias Moussaoui called an unexepected recess in the case on Monday and convened a closed session.US District Court Judge Leonie Brinkema called prosecution and defense lawyers to the bench as soon as she entered the courtroom on Monday morning after a weekend break. She told the lawyers she was taking them into another courtroom for a closed session. “We need to take care of a matter,” Brinkema said, giving no explanation for the unexpected recess.
Moussaoui, who is facing a possible death sentence for his role in the September 11, 2001 attacks on New York and Washington, was allowed to attend the session but the jury, reporters and people not directly connected with the case were not.