New York Times reports plan to move trial out of NYC

NYC



NEW YORK STATE -- It seems the trial of the accused mastermind of the 9/11 attacks will moved outside of New York City.

The New York Times is reporting the Obama administration is considering other options, however, no new location has been named.

The trial has been facing political backlash and city officials have been calling for a new trial location, saying there was fear the trial wouldn't be able to go forward if it stayed in Manhattan. New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg has said the trial would pose a security risk and cost the city millions of dollars.

It's unclear where the trial would be moved to, but some suggest nearby military installations, like West Point.

It was last year that Attorney General Eric Holder announced that the trial would take place in Manhattan federal court. That announcement received heavy criticism and opposition.

Governor David Paterson joined New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg in asking the Obama administration to move the trial outside of New York City.

Meanwhile, former Governor Elliot Spitzer says the venue doesn't matter, as long as there's a conviction.

"I think where it is matters much less than if it takes place and we get a conviction. I think that is what we as citizens care about. Justice should be done and we should prove to the world the rule of law works in the United States. We will punish terrorists," Spitzer said.

While New York officials are adamant about moving the trial out of their city, one mayor in the Hudson Valley says his city would be a good fit.

Newburgh Mayor Nicholas Valentine says Newburgh's new state-of-the-art courthouse means the trial would be secured more easily there than New York City. Many are concerned the location of the trial could be a possible terrorist target, but Valentine says Newburgh could benefit from the international exposure.

"Some municipality is going to be chosen. I'm just asking for a fair shake to be in the mix. And also say that in the end, with the tourists, with the amount of people coming here, and the amount of media coverage, Newburgh would truly be on the map and that's not a bad thing for our city," Valentine said.

Valentine also told us a federal aid package to pay for trial expenses would make it worth the effort. However, Orange County Executive Edward Diana made it clear he would be against the move to a city in his county.