[Abcdxxxx]

A few websites posted early theories suggesting Saddam was a prisoner in that hole, the day he was found. It seems Iraqi's are prone to hanging out in these holes a lot when they need to hide, and that "rat holes" are common.... only they usually have two entrance/exit points, instead of Saddam's meager one ice box lid into the ground design.

Perhaps the cash, and some bargaining power meant more to the Kurds then his murder... and a back end deal promising an eventual execution under the Iraqi's jurisdiction wouldn't have hurt.

So the real mystery would be where and how the Kurds really found Saddam, and what was the story with the fresh stash of US bills found near his hole?