Remembering Judge Kevin Thomas Duffy, Who Brought 1993 Bombers to Justice
Remembering Judge Kevin Thomas Duffy, Who Brought 1993 Bombers to Justice
Today we pay tribute to Kevin Thomas Duffy, the federal judge who brought justice to the terrorists who bombed the World Trade Center in 1993. Judge Duffy died on Wednesday from Covid-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus.
Over the course of his nearly 40-year career, Judge Duffy gained a reputation as an independent-minded thinker with a defiant streak, according to his New York Times obituary.
Judge Duffy applied his signature fiery rhetoric during the 1993 World Trade Center bombing trial. Responding to mastermind Ramzi Ahmed Yousef’s assertion that terrorism was the only viable response to the United States’ involvement in the Middle East and policies toward Muslim people, Judge Duffy quoted passages from the Quran to Yousef. “Your God is not Allah,” said Judge Duffy from the stand. “Death was truly your God, your master, your one and only religion.”
This print of a courtroom sketch by Christine Cornell from the Museum’s collection depicts Judge Duffy on the stand and the four defendants—Mohammad Salameh, Nidal Ayyad, Mahmoud Abouhalima, and Ahmed Ajaj—standing at their sentencing on May 24, 1994. In the foreground is Ron Cami, the court clerk. At the bottom is written “Sentencing WTC Bombers — to 240 years by Duffy | C. Cornell 5-24.”
By 9/11 Memorial Staff
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