David Headley's sentencing: Live from the courtroom

Reactions in India

Ujjwal Nikam, 26/11 case public prosecutor:

"I personally feel this sentence of 35 years is inadequate. Had it been in India, he would have been awarded death penalty."

David Coleman Headley sentenced to 35 years in prison.

US District Judge Harry Leinenweber says David Headley had written a letter to him

"He has written me a letter two-three weeks ago in which he talked about American values and way of life and said that I wish that for my children. I had read the scriptures again out of context. I have reread them."
 
"Headley says in the letter - In the end I request clemency and another chance to redeem myself and make some positive contributions even in this stage of life."


Judge continues:

"Terrorists don't care what happens to them. This will not be a deterrent."

"I don't have any faith in Mr Headley when he says he is a changed man and wants to live by American values.

"I believe it is necessary for me to protect the public from him."

"During the Rana trial, Headley was asked if he was remorseful for loss of life and I remember he said something like: 'They are Indians, they are responsible because Pakistanis were killed in Kashmir.' "

"I am not here to say who is correct- India or Pakistan. That is a fight that has been going on for a long tim... apparently it is getting resolved. But is this mindset that is obviously the most troubling."

"I have a responsibility to protect the public from further crimes of the defendant."
 
"He has a history of breaking the law and cooperating."

David Headley declines to make statement.

Headley's lawyer asks for less than 30-35 years, saying:

"You have to give people the incentive to allow the justice system to work. The next individual who comes along who has information that can help us can look at this case and say I can either cooperate with the government and put myself and family at risk  and he will say why would I do that if in the end I am going to  get the same thing and die in jail. You have to give a benefit otherwise people will not cooperate."

26/11 victim Linda Ragsdale (now speaking on behalf of somebody else) :

"Headley has lost his right to live as a free man. He must bear the consequences for the rest of his life. It would be a moral outrage to all the victims and even those still in India if he gets only 35 years."

26/11 victim Linda Ragsdale, who was at the Taj, tells Headley in court:

"A man with your intelligence could have altered the lives of so many people in this country. This is my wish for you I hope you find the kind of people and faith that allows you to ownership of you actions and consequences under your own name."

"I wish for you peace and faith that brings to you the understanding of the word family; the ability to see every child as your child, to wish for your child a life of peace and faith rather than train other kids to take life."

26/11 victim Linda Ragsdale, who was at the Taj, testifying (Speaking very emotionally. Crying) :

"If I had known I would have laid my body over 13-year-old Naomi. The attackers were coming table to table to execute innocent people. Alan told us to play dead but I could not. I could feel the absence of life coming closer."

"It was just a boy who had the same physique as my own son. How does a child become so disconnected with life that they choose death? Who were his teachers? I saw the carnage of way in a place where moments before friends and family were enjoying their meal."

"I have experienced the sound of life leaving a 13-year-old child. These are things I never needed to know and never needed to experience."
 
"The next voices were that of two young Indian heroes. Kitchen employees who stayed to help. I watched my bloods seep out before my eyes. This young man refused to leave me and he lead me out of the kitchen door."

Former US prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald who investigated the Mumbai plotter walks into the courtroom and addresses the court. He says:

"When Headley was arrested a lot of people in the government, at very high levels, were worried about Denmark."

"He admitted within 30 minutes and proceeded for the better half of two weeks, all day long, he was reminded of his rights, of his right to counsel and he was facing capital punishment and he still cooperated. You have a very important job before you and have a lot to consider. Unusual nature of how quickly he cooperated and that he did not have to do that."

US prosecutor says, "I do not have the words to express how serious these crimes were. The job of balancing how serious these crimes were and the significant support he provided to the government is very difficult."

David Coleman Headley, a small-time American drug dealer-turned-terrorist plotter who helped plan the brutal 2008 attack on Mumbai will learn shortly whether his wide-ranging cooperation with US investigators will earn him any leniency as his sentencing is underway in a federal court.