Moussaoui says he won't cooperate with lawyers, prays for destruction of U.S. and Israel

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Zacarias Moussaoui, the only man indicted as a Sept. 11 conspirator, politely raised his hand for attention, then declared in court yesterday that he was praying for destruction of the United States and wanted to fire the appointed lawyers he said could not be trusted.

For nearly an hour in federal court, Moussaoui alternated readings from the Quran with an attack on the U.S. criminal justice system. In calm, accented but understandable English, the French citizen accused prosecutors, his lawyers and the judge of working together to end the case quickly with his execution.

"What they've done is a sophisticated version of the kiss of death," Moussaoui said, facing U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema. "The U.S. commander in chief wants me over as quickly as possible."

In a hearing that swerved suddenly from the intended argument over Moussaoui's prison conditions, Brinkema warned that he would place himself at a great disadvantage by representing himself in the death penalty case.

"The American legal system is complicated," she said, addressing the bearded, 33-year-old man in a green prison jumpsuit. "You come from a different culture."

Before she made those remarks, Moussaoui had told her, "I want to defend my life." He asked for a Muslim attorney of his choice to advise him.