Law Humor

Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, who has confessed to being the mastermind of the 9/11 attacks, had some statements to make at his arraignment on Thursday (June 5):

• First, he looks forward to becoming a martyr.
• Second, the U.S. legal system is a farce.
• Third, the courtroom sketch makes his nose look way too big.

The Associated Press reported that the sketch, created by courtroom sketch artist Janet Hamlin, was reviewed by the court and counsel "to make sure it didn't include classified information."  The report didn't say what that might have been -- it seems unlikely that any classified exhibits would have been on display at an arraignment.  Maybe the concern is that Mohammed is using his hairstyle to send coded messages to his compadres.

Anyway, the defense team got to look at the sketch too, and allowed their client to see it as well.  He was not at all pleased.

"He said I should compare it to the FBI photo of him," Hamlin said.  That's the flattering one taken after his arrest, in which he looks slightly disheveled, to say the least.  But at least it gets the nose right, Mohammed apparently said.

Asked if Mohammed had a point, Hamlin said, "I agree totally."  She said she intended to slim down the mass murderer's nose.

Link: AP via FindLaw.com