Watch CBS News

Katie Couric's Notebook: 9/11 Mastermind

Our criminal justice system is based on the concept that criminal defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty...that they have the right to a fair trial.

That sounds good on paper, but what if the accused is Khalid Sheikh Mohammed?

Attorney General Eric Holder's decision to try the admitted 9/11 mastermind - and four alleged co-conspirators in a civilian courtroom in New York City is controversial at the very least.

Some Republicans, including former Mayor Rudy Giuliani, say the Obama administration is giving terrorists too many rights and a platform for their radical ideology.

But 9/11 widow Kristen Breitweiser supports the decision, saying New Yorkers and families like hers - want to see these men publicly brought to justice - to finally have closure.

And so just blocks from the scene of the crime, justice will be served - a right nearly three-thousand Americans lost on 9/11.

That's a page from my notebook.

I'm Katie Couric, CBS News.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.