The U.S. judge presiding over the death penalty trial of convicted terrorist Zacarias Moussaoui says jurors could begin deliberating his fate as early as next week.
Judge Leonie Brinkema has adjourned the trial until Monday for the Easter holiday. Moussaoui has pleaded guilty and a jury has found him eligible for the death penalty. Now the jury must decide whether he should be put to death or be sentenced to life in prison.
Taking the stand for the second time Thursday in Alexandria, Virginia, Moussaoui said he has no regret and no remorse about the September 11, 2001 terror attacks in the United States that left nearly 3,000 people dead.
Moussaoui told the court he hates Americans because of U.S. support for Israel and the war in Iraq.
On Wednesday, prosecutors rested their case after playing an audiotape of the chilling last moments aboard United Airlines Flight 93, one of the four planes hijacked on September 11.
The plane crashed in a Pennsylvania field after passengers stormed the cockpit in an effort to retake the aircraft.
Defense attorneys argue that their client is mentally ill and had a limited role in the attacks - saying execution would fulfill his dream of being a martyr. Moussaoui has rejected the defense assertion that he is mentally ill. When asked if he wanted to die, Moussaoui said he wanted to fight.
Moussaoui pleaded guilty to six conspiracy counts last year. He is the only person in the U.S. to be brought to justice in connection with the September 11 attacks.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.
