Thursday, September 22, 2011

NC trial focuses on plot to kill service personnel (AP)

NEW BERN, N.C. ? The man described as the ringleader of a homegrown terrorist group will testify at the trial of three men accused of conspiring to kill service members at the U.S. Marine base at Quantico, Va., and other places, a federal prosecutor said in opening statements.

The Sun Journal of New Bern reported (http://bit.ly/n5nwTm) that Assistant U.S. Attorney John S. Bowler said the government's evidence will include testimony from Daniel Patrick Boyd, who has pleaded guilty in the case.

Bowler said Tuesday in U.S. District Court that the government's evidence will prove that the men were "caring for, working toward, taking concrete measures to support a violent jihad."

Attorneys for the men ? Hysen Sherifi, Mohammad Omar Aly Hassan and Ziyad Yaghi ? each made separate opening statements, saying their clients are innocent. They face multiple felony charges related to allegations they conspired to attack the Marine base in Quantico and targets overseas. All face life in prison if found guilty of the most serious charges.

"You haven't heard any evidence," said John McAfee, attorney for the 27-year-old Sherifi. "You have heard what the government believes the evidence will show you. Belief is really at the core of the case. What did Sharifi believe?"

Hassan's attorney, Dan Boyce of Raleigh, said the charges against his client are based on a misunderstanding of Islam and of motives for Hassan's minimal association with Boyd or others charged.

Jim Ayres, attorney for Yaghi, said Boyd preyed on the innocence of young kids. "Boyd was completely self-serving in everything he did," Ayers said.

A fourth defendant, Anes Subasic, went on trial Monday in federal court in Greenville. He's being tried separately because he is defending himself.

Boyd pleaded guilty in February to charges of conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists and conspiracy to murder, kidnap, maim and injure persons in a foreign country. Zakariya Boyd later pleaded guilty to a single count of conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists. Last week, Dylan Boyd, 24, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to provide material support to terrorism. Daniel Boyd is the father of Dylan and Zakariya Boyd.

An eighth defendant, Jude Kenan Mohammad, is still at large and believed to be living in Pakistan.

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Information from: The Sun Journal, http://www.newbernsunjournal.com

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/terrorism/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110921/ap_on_re_us/us_nc_terror_arrests

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