PlusAccused 9/11 Mastermind Asks for Death PenaltyAccused 9/11 Mastermind Asks for Death PenaltyThe Associated PressKhalid Sheikh Mohammed, the reputed mastermind of the Sept. 11 attacks, said at his arraignment that he welcomes the death penalty as a way to martyrdom and ridiculed the proceedings. (June 5)[Notes:ANCHOR VOICE] KHALID SHEIK MOHAMMED HASN'T BEEN SEEN SINCE THE U.S. RELEASED THIS PICTURE OF HIM WHEN HE WAS CAPTURED IN PAKISTAN FIVE YEARS AGO.BUT HE APPEARED IN COURT THURSDAY -- SPORTING A LONG WHITE BEARD AND THICK GLASSES -- AND HE ALSO APPEARED NOTICEABLY THINNER THAN WHEN HE WAS CAPTURED.THE PROCEEDING AGAINST HIM AND FOUR OTHER KEY SUSPECTS IN THE 9-11 ATTACKS HAS DRAWN DOZENS OF JOURNALISTS WHO ARE OBSERVING IT ALL AMID VERY TIGHT SECURITY...AND ALSO CRITICISM FROM SOME LEGAL GROUPS. [Notes:SOT FROM ACLU]Anthony Romero, Exec. director of the ACLU "The commissions were a complete and utter farce. Today the accused saw it for the farce that it is.INSIDE THE COURTROOM -- THE JUDGE WARNED MOHAMMED HE AND THE OTHER SUSPECTS FACED THE DEATH PENALTY IF CONVICTED OF ORGANIZING THE 9-11 ATTACKS -- BUT MOHAMMED SAYS HE WANTS TO BE A MARTYR. JIM RICHES LOST HIS SON --- A FIREFIGHTER -- IN THE ATTACK ON THE WORLD TRADE CENTER.HE SAYS THE SUSPECTS DESERVE TO DIE. [Notes:SOT -- JIM RICHES/FATHER OF 9/11 VICTIM] I spoke to the prosecutors and they're down there and they said they've mountains of evidence on these people and I think if the evidence shows that they are guilty. You know my son is never going to walk back in that door and if the death penalty is what it takes, then that's what it is, because evil people like that are just killing innocent peopleA DEFENSE ATTORNEY -- HOWEVER -- SAYS AMERICANS WOULD BE ASHAMED IF THEY KNEW WHAT WAS GOING AND THE RAMIFICATIONS FOR THE CONSTITUTION.I wear the uniform with pride. I am proud to be a member of the US Navy, but I don't think these proceedings make for a proud day for any member of the service." [Notes:VO--SUPREME COURT/FILE OF GITMO]THE SUPREME COURT STRUCK DOWN THE ADMINISTRATION'S USE OF MILITARY COMMISSIONS IN 2006 -- BUT CONGRESS CHANGED THE LAW AND RESURRECTED THEM.SINCE THEN -- THE COMMISSIONS HAVE BEEN MIRED IN CONFUSION. [Notes:ACLU SOT AGAIN] "The fact now is that there's no way to fix the commissions. All we can do is pull the plug."MEANWHILE-- THE SUPREME COURT IS LIKELY TO BE BACK IN THE PICTURE THIS MONTH WHEN IT RULES ON THE RIGHTS OF GUANTANAMO PRISONERS.ITS DECISION COULD DELAY THE PROCEEDINGS -- OR HALT THEM ALTOGETHER. ___ ___, The Associated Press.