Judge Declares Moussaoui Competent In a two page Order today, the Judge presiding over the case of Zacharias Mossaoui ruled there is no new evidence to question her previous ruling that Moussaoui is competent to act as his own lawyer.

"Although the rhetoric in the defendant's ... pleadings has become increasingly confrontational, the court is not aware of any new evidence that would support a claim that the defendant is not mentally competent to proceed ... at this time."

While the Judge could change her mind Thursday at Moussaoui's next court appearance if his court-appointed standby lawyers present a new report in support of their assertion Moussaoui is mentally ill, that appears unlikely since Moussaoui refused to meet with the defense experts. and Judge Brinkema ruled he didn't have to. She said the visits "would deprive him of the limited privacy upon which he has insisted and to which we believe he has a legitimate claim."

Once again we question how, as a civilized society, we can make someone face the death penalty without benefit of a workable attorney-client relationship--especially when the accused has requested to meet with a competent attorney of his choice who is willing to advise him without charge.

It should also be noted that Moussaoui did not confess last week to any of the charges against him that pertain to the September 11 attacks. He said he was a member of Al Qaeda and he knew who planned the attacks. He did not say he participated in or planned them. He was arrested and incarcerated almost a month before the attacks. Does the Government have even a single witness who will link Moussaoui to the September 11 attacks--as opposed to merely being a member of Al Qaeda and supporter of its beliefs. This is hardly just a technicality.