Moussaoui and Brinkema have butted heads many times during the trial in which Moussoui is defending himself and demonstrating no knowledge of court rules and procedures. Last week, Brinkema tried to enter a non-guilty plea for Moussaoui while he insisted he would like to plead guilty. Brinkema took as many "helping you help yourself" steps as she could, finally recessing the trial for a week to give Moussaoi time to think over his plea.
No one is sure what was said during the meeting, but Moussaoui released a statement Sunday through his cell mate "Big" Joe Johnson that said the two had reached some sort of agreement.
"They have agreed to disagree", said Johnson. "They both see that they said and did some things in court that maybe they shouldn't have. They are actually talking to Judge Judy and may do that show to see if she can help them work it out." Although not part of the officially released statement, Johnson also suggested that there was some sort of candlelight meal in the cell block. "I don't want to say too much, but the meeting was after lights out and there was a lot of giggling over there," said Johnson who said he was moved to the next cell for security reasons.
Johnson, having spent much of his life working in kitchens, purportedly has a nose like a hawk and can identify meals by smell from as far away as 100 feet. When asked what Moussouai and Brinkema had for dinner, Johnson looked wistful. "Remember, I been in here a long time, but I'm pretty sure I smelled chicken marsala, garlic mashed potatoes and white asparagus with grated parmesan." Asked about dessert Johnson seemed unsure of his talent. "That's where they threw me, and I think that's when they [were] doing the most serious negotiatin' because they got real quiet, but I could swear they [were] having fish for dessert. My nose is usually right on, but I swear I smelled haddock, I don't know, maybe I'm gettin old."
Bush administration officials are very upset about the alleged visit. Said one, "If true, this could mean the dismissal of Judge Brinkema" and possibly a mistrial, "which would be disastrous to this case."
The official then said under his breath, "Leave it to a Clinton nominee to fall in love with such poor timing."
When asked of possible replacements for the judge the official replied, "I'm not sure if he's got a law degree, but we are seriously looking at Oliver North. He'll still do whatever we tell him to do."
"It's now obvious why she has taken so many steps to protect him in court. It was frustrating at first, but now I think it's kind of sweet," said Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Spencer, who expects to have Moussaoui in the electric chair by the end of September.
