by Jerry Burke
Standing less than 20 feet from the man accused of handling the finances for the plot that resulted in her husband's death, Fanning spoke to a hushed courtroom as she asked for el Motassadeq to be imprisoned for life. "The world has to be protected from the suicidal, murderous inclinations of the defendant and his friends," she said.
Because German law allows relatives of crime victims to review evidence and question witnesses, 21 American relatives of those killed, including Fanning, have signed on as co-plaintiffs in the case. When Families of Sept. 11 head Stephen Push, whose wife was killed in the plane that crashed into the Pentagon, asked Fanning to join the group in testifying, the mother of two jumped at the opportunity.
"My heart was broken on 9/11, but not my spirit," Fanning testified. "Until I take my last breath, I will not let this incredible loss of human life go in vain."
For 30 years, John "Jack" Fanning was at the forefront of firefighting excellence. The 54-year-old was the head of the Hazardous Materials Operation Unit (Haz-Mat) and played a crucial role in many high-profile rescue efforts, including the 1993 World Trade Center and 1995 Oklahoma City bombings. He was last seen inside the north tower of the Trade Center moments before it collapsed.
At his Oct. 6, 2001 memorial, Fanning was remembered as one of the top anti-terrorism experts in the country, whose techniques and preparedness helped save many of those rescued on Sept. 11. Despite his stature, one friend described him as "just someone real cool and normal."
Fanning was survived by his wife of 15 years, Maureen, and their two sons, Sean, 14, and Patrick, 6, as well as three children from a previous marriage: Ryan, Jeremy and Jacqueline.
The 16 months that followed have been difficult for Maureen. Working regularly has become nearly impossible while she tries to care for her sons, both of whom are autistic. She recently had to place Sean in a group home while she takes care of Patrick. In an interview after her testimony, she said the boys are now the biggest part of her life. "If the kids are OK, I'm OK," she said.
"The boys have very little in their lives -- they can't read, they can't write," Fanning said in court. "But they had Jack to walk in the door and smile at them, something special that was stolen from them on Sept. 11."
Motassadeq is charged with being an accessory in the murders of more than 3,000 people in the hijacking attacks in New York and Washington. He is being tried by a panel of judges, and faces life in prison. The trial is expected to end later this month.
"I had no problem with looking into his face," Fanning said of Motassadeq afterward. "I'm not afraid of him. I wasn't afraid to come here. Today I really felt like I was doing something constructive."
