NY, LI pols back away from support of terror trial

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg on Wednesday backed away from his earlier support of a lower Manhattan trial venue for Sept. 11 attack suspects. Thursday, other elected officials followed him. Some, like the mayor, have changed their opinions on the venue since the federal government announcement Nov. 13. Here's what they had to say, then and now:

U.S. Sen. Kirsten E. Gillibrand

Then: "I spoke with Attorney General Holder this morning and I have complete confidence that law enforcement and the U.S. courts in New York can handle this just as they have done in the past."

Now: "I share the concerns from Mayor Bloomberg and the business community, and I am open to alternative locations. I do remain committed to bringing these heinous individuals to justice in the federal courts, and if the trial is held in New York, I will continue working to secure federal money for security costs so that New York taxpayers are not left with the bill."

Mayor Bloomberg

Then: "It is fitting that 9/11 suspects face justice near the World Trade Center site, where so many New Yorkers were murdered."

Now: "Can we provide security? Yes. Could you provide security elsewhere? Yah. The suggestion of a military base is probably a reasonably good one. There are places that would be less expensive for the taxpayers and less disruptive for New York City."

U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer

Then: "We New Yorkers are a tough breed. We have tried terrorists successfully in the past, and we will rise to the occasion again."

Now: In a statement Thursday, Schumer said he is "following the guidance of the mayor and the police commissioner" and shares their concerns about costs, logistics and security. He said he is "encouraging the administration to find suitable alternatives."

Other members of LI's congressional delegation were open to "alternatives" to the trial being held in Manhattan.

U.S. Rep. Carolyn McCarthy

"Taking into account the mayor and police commissioner's concerns, as well neighborhood leaders and business owners that are opposed to the trial, I am not against other alternatives. . . . Besides causing logistical problems for the police and residents, the cost of the trial will be astronomical and the administration has yet to say whether they will cover the costs."

U.S. Rep. Gary Ackerman

"Common sense must prevail. Murders are tried in the jurisdiction of the crime, not necessarily on the site. Khalid Sheikh Mohammed must be tried somewhere in New York State in an uncongested but highly secure location."

U.S. Rep. Steve Israel

"While I favor the death penalty for terrorists and cannot see why New Yorkers shouldn't be the ones to hand down that sentence, I am certainly open to the alternatives where security could be provided with less cost and disruption."

Gov. David A. Paterson

He told ABC-TV's "The View" that federal officials should consider moving the trial. "It's going to cost an immense amount of money, it's going to tie up traffic, it's going to destroy the economic development that's been recovered in lower Manhattan. . . . I think New Yorkers have been through enough."