Moussaoui's Lying Game

Convicted Sept. 11 conspirator Zacarias Moussaoui says he lied on the witness stand about being involved in the plot and wants to withdraw his guilty plea because he now believes he can get a fair trial.

In a motion filed Friday but released Monday, Moussaoui said he testified March 27 he was supposed to hijack a fifth plane on Sept. 11, 2001, and fly it into the White House "even though I knew that was a complete fabrication."

A federal court jury spared the 37-year-old Frenchman the death penalty last Wednesday. On Thursday, U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema gave him six life sentences, to run as two consecutive life terms, in the federal supermax prison at Florence, Colo.

At sentencing, she told Moussaoui: "You do not have a right to appeal your convictions, as was explained to you when you plead guilty" in April 2005. "You waived that right."

Is there any reason to believe anything Moussaoui says or does? He's a serial liar and will distort and lie to suit his own ends. Just as he now claims no knowledge, he could just as easily turn around and lie about his lies. It's enough to make your head spin.

Also, if he's now claiming that he was lying on the stand, expect arguments to be made that he's committing perjury or making false statements. Make no doubt about this - Moussaoui is trying to stay in the spotlight, and the chances of any of his latest outbursts affecting his sentence is slim.

HT: anonymous emailer.