Mr Zacarias Moussaoui, accused of conspiring in the September 11th attacks, told a federal court last night he was a member of al Qaeda and tried to plead guilty to the charges, but the judge refused to accept his plea.
Mr Moussaoui, a Frenchman facing his third indictment on conspiracy charges in the death penalty case, said he had knowledge of the hijacking attacks, admitted being a member of al Qaeda and pledged his allegiance to Osama bin Laden.
Asked to enter a plea to charges in the latest indictment, Mr Moussaoui first tried to enter an "affirmative" plea - an apparent effort to barter information for lenient treatment - but the judge said that type of plea did not exist in federal law. He later said he wanted to plead guilty.
"Moussaoui Zacarias has entered formally a guilty plea fully and completely and he wants to have trial as soon as possible," said Mr Moussaoui, 34, who faces the death penalty on four of the six charges against him.
Mr Moussaoui, who was almost ordered removed from the courtroom at one point during a heated exchange, repeatedly said the information he had about the September 11th attacks could help save his life - though he did not explain why.
District Judge Leonie Brinkema and Mr Moussaoui often clash in court, as the judge attempts to ensure that Mr Moussaoui - who is not a lawyer but is representing himself - understands the law and is aware of what he is doing.