In this particular case, i’d take my chances with the jury. Especially since the feds asking for the death penalty is huge overreach and New York isn’t a state known for lots of jurors in favor of the death penalty. It’s actually banned for state crimes.

EDIT: also, if he is somehow convicted of the worst crimes, his ability to appeal on the basis of cruel and unusual charging is very good. The terrorism charge alone is a massive overreach that I can’t think of ever being used when a civilian kills another civilian. And new york has fairly liberal judges. A plea deal is a huge mistake in this case. Unless the deal is a year in prison and 6 months probation. Which it won’t be. It’ll be we’ll drop the death penality charge and instead you get life.