Punishment of government not imminent in Moussaoui case
Alexandria, Virginia-AP -- The federal judge in the Zacarias Moussaoui (zak-uh-REE'-uhs moo-SOW'-ee) case is weighing whether to punish the government -- but she says she's holding off on a decision for now. The government has defied her order to allow Moussaoui to question an al-Qaida witness. Moussaoui is accused of conspiring with the nine-eleven hijackers.
Judge Leonie Brinkema says she's accepted requests from the government and Moussaoui's court-appointed lawyers to defer a ruling until both sides turn in written arguments.
The judge has the power to dismiss the charges against Moussaoui -- or take lesser action.
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