Donald Trump’s death penalty tweet ‘could destroy NYC terror case’

Legal experts say the US President’s unprecedented intervention will be used by defence lawyers

Donald Trump surrounded by his cabinet takes a more measured tone than on Twitter
(Image credit: Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Donald Trump has insisted that the man suspected of Tuesday’s terror attack in New York should face the death penalty, an unprecedented intervention that some warn could prejudice the trial.

Sayfullo Saipov, the 29-year-old Uzbek immigrant accused of driving his truck through a cycle path, killing eight people, told investigators he began plotting the attack a year ago, inspired by Islamic State videos.

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