A 9/11 Trial in New York

23:41

November 16, 2009

This combination of undated photos shows, from left: Ali Abd al-Aziz Ali, Waleed bin Attash, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, Mustafa Ahmad al-Hawsawi and Ramzi Binalshibh. Self-proclaimed Sept. 11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and four other Guantanamo Bay detainees will be sent to New York to face trial in a civilian federal court, an Obama administration official said Friday, Nov. 13, 2009. (AP Photos) — Self-proclaimed Sept. 11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, center, and four other Guantanamo Bay detainees (from left: Ali Abd al-Aziz Ali, Waleed bin Attash, Mustafa Ahmad al-Hawsawi and Ramzi Binalshibh) will be sent to New York to face trial in a civilian federal court, the Obama administration announced on Nov. 13, 2009. (AP Photos)

After eight years — on the run, in secret CIA prisons, being water-boarded, in Guantanamo — Khalid Sheikh Mohammed is headed to New York City.
The alleged Al Qaeda mastermind of the 9/11 attacks, and five others, will go on trial in lower Manhattan, “just blocks away from where the Twin Towers once stood,” said Attorney General Eric Holder on Friday.
It will be, without doubt, the trial of this young century. A vindication for American justice, say some. A circus and a threat, say others.
This hour, On Point: Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, American justice, and the trial of the century.
You can join the conversation. Tell us what you think — here on this page, on Twitter, and on Facebook.Guests:

Evan Perez, reporter for The Wall Street Journal.
John Hutson, former Judge Advocate General of the US Navy (1997-2000). He's now president and dean of the Franklin Pierce Law Center.
Walter Huffman, former Judge Advocate General for the U.S. Army (1997 to 2001). He's dean of the Texas Tech University School of Law.
Josh Gerstein, White House reporter for Politico.

This program aired on November 16, 2009.