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Moussaoui Sentencing Trial May Become Mistrial

After a federal attorney apparently coached witnesses in violation of her rules, U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema considered whether to dismiss the government`s death penalty case against confessed al-Qaida conspirator Zacarias Moussaoui. She scheduled a special hearing on the case Tuesday, but says that it was "very difficult for this case to go forward."

Government officials identified the attorney as Carla Martin. If Brinkema decides to throw out the government?s case, Moussaoui would escape the possibility of execution and be sentenced to life in prison without chance of parole.

Brinkema says Martin, a lawyer for the Transportation Security Administration, sent email messages to seven Federal Aviation Administration officials outlining the prosecution`s opening statements and providing commentary on government witnesses from the first day of testimony - a direct violation of her pretrial order barring witnesses from exposure to any opening statements or trial testimony.