U.S. Department of Justice officials haven't said where where they intend to prosecute Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and other alleged terrorists suspected in the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. But Maryland Senate Republicans are eager to make sure the Free State isn't an option.
Senate minority party leaders today delivered a letter to Gov. Martin O'Malley, a Democrat, urging him to tell federal officials to look elsewhere. "We urge you ... to address this issue by rejecting potential federal incentives and immediately notifying President Obama that Maryland will not be a venue for terrorist trials."
Sen. Allan H. Kittleman and Sen. Nancy Jacobs, who signed the letter, say they have no information that Maryland is under consideration as a a possible location. Both said their letter was more of a "preemptive strike," aimed at eliminating even the slimmest chance that terrorists could stand trial in either of the state's federal courthouses, in Greenbelt and Baltimore.
The senators say Maryland's close proximity to Washington and array of national buildings would complicate security for the high-profile criminal proceedings.
At this point, DOJ has not made it clear where the trial could take place -- and whether it would be at a federal courthouse or a military base or even inside a prison. New York officials strongly rejected the decision to try the case in lower Manhattan, and President Barack Obama said he will consult with local officials before selecting another venue.
In a recent Associated Press article, Attorney General Eric Holder was quoted as saying "all options remain open for the location of a 9/11 trial."
"His plan to transfer Mohammed and four of his alleged henchmen from the prison at the U.S. naval base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, for trial in New York City has run into massive opposition and is under review," the article says.
Nina Ginsberg, an Alexandria, Va., attorney who represented one of the 9/11 suspects, said that although New York, Virginia and Pennsylvania were the obvious options, prosecutors could look elsewhere.
"They may be able to come up with some basis for venue in Maryland," she said. Possible reasons could include a 9/11 victim who resided in the state or conspiracy-related acts that occurred in the state. Wherever DOJ selects as the trial location, they'd have to convince a judge they have venue there, Ginsberg said.
O'Malley spokesman Shaun Adamec said the governor will not comment on the Republicans' letter.