9/11 survivors press for open trial

NEW YORK, Dec. 15 (UPI) -- Family members of Sept. 11, 2001, victims say they're hoping a New York judge will allow a public trial of their suit against United and American airlines.

The survivors are suing the airlines, the owner of Boston's Logan International Airport and security companies for negligence in connection with the hijackings of American Airlines Flight 11 and United Airlines Flight 175, which left Boston with armed hijackers on board who forced the planes to fly into the World Trade Center.

Judge Alvin Hellerstein of U.S. District Court in Manhattan was set to hear their arguments Monday that a trial should proceed. The families say it would expose to public view the "fatal mistakes" made by Logan Airport officials, The Boston Globe reported.

To date, nearly 3,000 families have agreed to more than $7 billion in private settlements that averaged $2 million each from the federal Victims Compensation Fund, but no Sept. 11 negligence suits have yet proceeded to trial, the newspaper said.

"I would like some truth and accountability, and I want the public to hear it," Mike Low, father of Sara Low, a flight attendant on Flight 11, the first jet to hit the towers, told the Globe.