Father of 9/11 victim doesn't want trial in New York

NORTHFIELD, Minn -- It's been eight years since Tom Burnett, Sr. lost his son to the 9/11 attacks.  But for Burnett, it may as well have been one day.

"We think about it every day.  Not a day goes by that we don't," Burnett said on Monday from his home in Northfield.

On Sept. 11, 2001, Burnett's son -- Tom Burnett, Jr. -- was among those passengers on board United Flight 93.  He's widely believed to have the led the charge against the highjackers that resulted in the plane crashing in Pennsylvania instead of the intended target in Washington, D.C..

This week, Tom Burnett, Sr. finds himself thinking about that attack even more, now that the Obama Administration announced its decision to put the accused 9/11 plotters on trial in a federal courtroom in New York.

"I think the idea is insane and it certainly is a travesty," Burnett Sr. said.

Burnett doesn't mince words when it comes to his criticism of the plan: he's worried about the city's security and what the suspects may say or do during the trial.

"Those guys will make a circus out of it.  Khalid Sheik Mohammed, he's a barbarian.  We're giving him the same rights we give any American citizen," he said.

But while Burnett is joining thousands of others in opposing the trial's venue, the administration and others are standing firm in their position.

"By holding these terrorists responsible for their actions, we are finally taking ultimate steps toward justice.  That is why I made the decision," said Eric Holder on Capitol Hill last week.

Despite the administration's position, Burnett say's he'll continue to fight the plan.  He's also asking others concerned about the decision to contact their representative or senators with their disapproval.

"It's just a terrible mistake to let this proceed the way it is," he said. 

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