Federal judge in Boston refuses to drop charges against terror suspect

[Eugene]

Source: Boston Globe

Federal judge in Boston refuses to drop charges against terror suspect

08/03/2011 6:37 PM

By Milton J. Valencia, Globe Staff

A federal judge has rejected a request by lawyers to drop several of the criminal charges against alleged would-be terrorist Tarek Mehanna of Sudbury.

J.W. Carney Jr., a lawyer for Mehanna, 29, argued in court today that some of the acts listed in the indictment charging Mehanna with conspiracy to support terrorists and a terrorism organization are covered by his First Amendment right to free speech.

The so-called overt acts listed in the indictment allege Mehanna translated Arabic writings and distributed photos and websites to promote jihad, in support of terrorism organizations.

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US District Court Judge George A. O’Toole Jr. sided with prosecutors in saying the issue should play out at trial. He also said Carney could ask him to dismiss the charges again once the trial is completed, if prosecutors fail to show the larger conspiracy.

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Read more: http://www.boston.com/Boston/metrodesk/2011/08/federal-judge-boston-refuses-drop-charges-against-terror-suspect/dKnrLSMwSy0MWM0pKur6nK/index.html