RULE VIOLATION: A federal judge says it’s difficult for the case against confessed al-Qaida conspirator Zacarias Moussaoui to go forward after a government lawyer apparently coached witnesses on upcoming testimony.

CONSIDERING OPTIONS: The judge sent the jury in the sentencing trial home while she holds a hearing.

PENALTY PLEA: The defense has asked that the government be barred from seeking the death penalty, which would automatically give Moussaoui a life sentence.