Trump: New York truck attacker deserves death penalty

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The Uzbek immigrant accused of killing eight people by speeding a rental truck down a New York City bike path should get the death penalty according to US President Donald Trump.

The suspect, Sayfullo Saipov, told investigators he was inspired by watching ISIL videos and began planning Tuesday's attack a year ago, according to the criminal complaint filed in federal court against him on Wednesday.

Saipov, 29, said "he felt good about what he had done" and asked for permission to display the flag of ISIL in his hospital room, the complaint said.

Police stand in front of what according to local media is the apartment of Sayfullo Saipov, the suspect in the New York City truck attack in Paterson, New Jersey, US, November 1, 2017. /Reuters Photo

Trump had suggested on Wednesday sending Saipov to the Guantanamo Bay military prison in Cuba, where terrorism suspects apprehended overseas are held, but on Thursday he said doing so would be too complicated.

"Would love to send the NYC terrorist to Guantanamo but statistically that process takes much longer than going through the Federal system," Trump said on Twitter.

He added: "There is also something appropriate about keeping him in the home of the horrible crime he committed. Should move fast. DEATH PENALTY!"

One of the two charges Saipov faces, violence and destruction of motor vehicles causing the deaths of eight people, carries the death penalty if the government chooses to seek it, acting US Attorney Joon Kim said.

People gather for a candlelight vigil for victims of the pickup truck attack at Foley Square in New York City, US, November 1, 2017. /Reuters Photo

Controversies over death penalty call

Trump's tweets calling for the death penalty for Saipov – before Saipov even had a chance to enter a plea to the charges he faces – could work to the defense's advantage by giving his lawyers a chance to argue they prejudiced potential jurors.

"The defense is sure to raise this as unfair and raising questions about a jury being able to reach an impartial verdict," said James Acker, a professor at the School of Criminal Justice at the State University of New York in Albany who specializes in the death penalty.

It could be used to make an argument that a judge should not allow the death penalty as a sentencing option, Acker said, adding that "the likelihood of that succeeding is very small."

A damaged school bus at the scene of a pickup truck attack in Manhattan, New York, US, October 31, 2017. /Photo by Sebastian Sobczak via Reuters

Saipov's defense attorney did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Asked by reporters whether he thought Saipov should be executed if convicted, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said he categorically opposes the death penalty.

"I'm not someone who believes in the death penalty in general, I just don't," de Blasio told a news conference near the site of Saipov's attack. "I believe this is an individual who should rot in prison for the rest of his life."

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Source(s): Reuters