An Islamic extremist accused of running a rented truck over several joggers and bicyclists in Lower Manhattan last fall is using a series of tweets from President Trump to convince a judge to take the death penalty off the table.
Law & Crime reports:
Sayfullo Habibullaevic Saipov killed eight people in the 2017 attack, authorities have said. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said the suspect was “radicalized domestically.” New York Police Department Deputy Commissioner John Miller said Saipov committed the attacks “in the name of ISIS.” What President Trump said, however, is what really riled up Saipov’s defense attorneys.
“NYC terrorist was happy as he asked to hang ISIS flag in his hospital room. He killed 8 people, badly injured 12. SHOULD GET DEATH PENALTY!” Trump tweeted on November 1, 2017, at 10:43 p.m.
“There is also something appropriate about keeping him in the home of the horrible crime he committed. Should move fast. DEATH PENALTY!’ Trump added on November 2, 2017, at 6:54 a.m.
Other Trump tweets referred to Saipov as a “degenerate animal” and attacked the State Department’s Diversity Visa Lottery Program based on his case.
The tweets sparked a new motion to prevent federal prosecutors from seeking the death penalty against Saipov, according to a filing in the Southern District of New York.
AAN Staff
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