NEW YORK (AP) — Lawyers for a man charged with killing eight people when he drove his truck onto a New York City bike path say the death penalty should be ruled out because President Donald Trump was “uninformed and full or rage” when he called for it.
The lawyers filed papers Tuesday in federal court on behalf of Sayfullo Saipov (sy-foo-LOH’ sah-YEE’-pawf).
Saipov was arrested immediately after the Oct. 31, 2017 destruction. He’s pleaded not guilty.
Lawyers wrote that prosecutors were out of line when they notified the court last month that the Justice Department had authorized them to seek death.
They said Trump spoiled options for death when he ordered the government to seek it only hours after Saipov was arrested.
They said the request can’t be based on “bloodthirst or revenge.”
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