Holder says Osama bin Laden will never face U.S. trial

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U.S. Atty. Gen. Eric H. Holder Jr. says Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden will never face trial in the United States because he will not be captured alive.

Holder sternly rejected criticism from Republican lawmakers on a House Appropriations subcommittee, who contend it is too dangerous to put terror suspects on trial in federal civilian courts.

Texas Republican Rep. John Culberson said someone like Bin Laden should not get the rights of a criminal defendant in American courts.

Holder fired back that Bin Laden would never appear in a U.S. court because he would not be taken alive. He did not say whether he meant that the Al Qaeda leader would fight to the death and be killed by U.S. and allied forces, or kill himself if surrounded.

-- Associated Press