Lawyers for Zacarias Moussaoui, the first person indicted in the September 11th attacks, today supported a legal bid to televise and increase public access to his trial, saying it would enhance the fairness of the landmark case.
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Zacarias Moussaoui
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But the US government argued against making an exception to the rule that prohibits cameras in federal court, saying televising the conspiracy trial set for October could endanger jurors, witnesses and court officials.
Cable network Court TV, which broadcasts legal proceedings to about 66 million subscribers, has petitioned US District Court Judge Leonie Brinkema for permission to televise the trial.
It argued the public has a right under the First Amendment to see and hear the proceedings first-hand, given the importance of the trial.
Mr Moussaoui looked on silently as one of his court-appointed lawyers voiced his qualified support for the motion, saying it would help ensure the trial was fair.
Mr Moussaoui is charged with conspiring with Osama bin Laden and his al-Qaeda network to murder thousands of people in connection with the September 11th attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Four of the six charges carry a possible death sentence.