The AP reports that:

"Zacarias Moussaoui, who has derided his court-appointed lawyers as "bloodsuckers," is working through an intermediary to get legal help from the attorneys he despises as he prepares for his Jan. 6 trial as an accused Sept. 11 conspirator."

Recent pleadings filed by Moussaoui as well as those filed by his legal team indicate Moussaoui and his lawyers are communicating through Muslim professor, Sadiq Reza of New York Law School in Manhattan.

"It appears that Mr. Moussaoui, without changing his view that we are adverse to him, will be seeking assistance from Professor Reza, who has indicated he will need assistance from us precisely in the areas related to our discovery (evidence) review," the court-appointed team said in an Aug. 16 motion."

In another defense team motion, the lawyers said Moussaoui is communicating with them but still will not allow them to initiate motions on his behalf.

A review of the filings show that the lawyers have submitted legal authority in support of several of Moussoui's own motions--and some have been granted.

Is Moussaoui grateful or becoming more subdued about his dislike for his lawyers? Hardly.

"As a protection against any pig disease there will be no more unsanitize [sic]contact with the affected horde of standby lawyers," he wrote in an Aug. 8 motion. He still calls the team "bloodsuckers" in his motions."

Moussaoui can hate his lawyers all he wants. We still want him to receive a fair trial. It is the only way any future verdict of guilty or sentence to death can have any integrity.

As we've said before, Moussaoui has defenses both to the substantive charges and to the death penalty. He has the right to raise them and it is our duty to see that he is given the opportunity.