NYC judge assures possible terror trial jurors of anonymity as they fill out questionnaires
By APWednesday, September 22, 2010
Anonymity promised for NYC terror trial jurors
NEW YORK — Several hundred prospective jurors have come to a Manhattan courthouse to fill out questionnaires aimed at gauging their eligibility for the first civilian trial of a Guantanamo Bay detainee.
In brief remarks, federal Judge Lewis Kaplan told them Wednesday that they will be anonymous if they’re chosen for the trial of Ahmed Khalfan Ghailani (guh-LAHN’-ee). He said the trial will start next week with oral questioning of prospective jurors. A copy of the 30-page questionnaire was not immediately released publicly.
Ghailani has pleaded not guilty to charges that he joined a 1998 conspiracy to bomb two U.S. embassies in Africa. The attacks killed 224 people, including a dozen Americans.
Opening statements are expected Oct. 4.
