Suspect in murder in New York could serve Islamic State
2023.01.09 13:29
Suspect in murder in New York could serve Islamic State
By Tiffany Smith
Budrigannews.com – Federal prosecutors stated on Monday that the man accused of using a truck to kill eight people on a Manhattan bike path on Halloween 2017 was an Islamic State sympathizer who carried out the attack to please the militant group.
When Sayfullo Saipov, 34, used a rental truck as a weapon and killed people on Oct. 31, 2017, he left behind “a scene of destruction and horror,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander Li told a jury during 30 minutes of opening statements.
According to the prosecution, Saipov began conducting online research on the Islamic State in 2014 and was carrying serrated knives on the day of the attack.
He proudly stated why he had carried out the attack right after it. Li stated, “He did it for the brutal terrorist organization ISIS.” The defendant for ISIS caused the devastation and horror at the scene.
A 28-count indictment against Saipov charges him with murder and providing material support to Islamic State, a militant group in the Middle East that the United States has designated a terrorist organization. Saipov has pleaded not guilty to these charges.
He wore gray pants and a green jacket to the courtroom. His face mask was concealed by a black beard. Saipov, a Uzbek national, was given a headset so he could listen to an interpreter.
After the court returns from lunch, the defense team is scheduled to make their opening statements later on Monday.
According to Judge Vernon Broderick of the U.S. District Court in Manhattan, the trial is anticipated to last approximately three months.
In September, the judge was informed by the US Department of Justice that the death penalty will be sought against Saipov. This is Joe Biden’s first federal death penalty trial, a Democrat who took office in January 2021. Saipov could also receive a life sentence without the possibility of parole if convicted.
Prosecutors say that Saipov chose Halloween because he thought there would be more people out and about and planned to attack the Brooklyn Bridge.
Li stated that the scene of the violence was covered in mangled bicycles, injured bodies, and attack victims. He added that a “truck-sized hole” was left in a school bus.
Five tourists from Argentina and one from Belgium were killed. More than a dozen others sustained serious injuries.
The prosecution has informed the court that they intend to demonstrate the attack to the jury of twelve.
Since his arrest, Saipov has been imprisoned.
After U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland ordered a moratorium on federal executions in July 2021 while the Justice Department reviewed its use of the punishment, the decision to pursue the death penalty was made.
After a 17-year hiatus, federal executions had resumed in 2020 under Republican U.S. President Donald Trump, with 13 carried out before Trump left office in 2021.
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During the initial phase of the trial, the jury will not take into account the punishment. They would have to decide whether to execute Saipov if they found him guilty of any capital crimes.
