New York attacker charged with terror, Trump wants execution

CAREFULLY PLANNED Police say Uzbek national Saipov planned attack for Halloween because more people would be out, wanted to continue strike for several more kilometres

WASHINGTON: US authorities have charged Sayfullo Saipov, the suspect in Tuesday’s New York deadly terror attack, with one count of providing material support to a designated terrorist outfit and one of violence and destruction of a motor vehicle causing death. The second charge could get the Uzbek national the death penalty.

President Donald Trump, who has projected toughness on terrorism since he began running for the White House, seemed impatient with respect to the court process, and breaking an unwritten norm of presidents not prejudging a legal case, called for Saipov’s execution.

“Would love to send the NYC terrorist to Guantanamo but statistically that process takes much longer than going through the Federal system … There is also something appropriate about keeping him in the home of the horrible crime he committed. Should move fast. DEATH PENALTY!” he tweeted.

David Patton, a public defender assigned to Saipov, had earlier said: “In a case like this, involving so much tragedy, it’s more important than ever to let the judicial process play out. How we as a society treat Mr Saipov will say more about us than it will about him.”

Saikov, who had undergone a surgery for a gunshot wound that had ended his murderous spree, was wheeled into a federal courtroom in Manhattan on Wednesday, his legs and arms in chains, and surrounded by guards.

Asked by officiating magistrate judge Barbara C Moses asked if he understood the proceedings, Saipov, who has lived in the US since March 2010, said in clear English: “Yes, ma’am.”

While he is understood to have acted alone — self-radicalised by Islamic State propaganda — investigators are looking for any contact he may have had with the terror group, directly or indirectly.