9-11 trial in NY

Weird to hear Attorney General Eric Holder say "acquittal is not an option" for KSM - then what's the point of having a trial? Then, on CNN this morning, a reporter said that exact thing and asked the legal analyst who was the guest to explain it. He noted that Holder talks like a prosecuter - that's just how they think of it, and that federal prosecutors don't bring cases unless they're likely to win. So that makes sense.