The defense says references to jihad and al-Qaeda would be “inflammatory” — never mind establishing motive.
“US: Don’t drop jihad references from charges,” from the Associated Press, July 18:
MOUNT LAUREL, N.J. (AP) – Federal prosecutors say they should not be forced to drop references to al-Qaida and jihad from the indictment of 5 men accused of plotting to attack soldiers on Fort Dix.
Lawyers for the men last month asked a judge to delete such language, saying it was “inflammatory” and was included in earlier court filings to incite prejudice against the defendants.
In a response filed Friday, government lawyers said the terms in question are central to the case, arguing that jihadist principles caused the defendants to undertake the criminal conduct.
The five men were charged in May 2007. An attack was never carried out.
In other court papers filed Friday, the government said the trial should not be moved from Camden. It’s scheduled to start in October.
The men, all foreign-born Muslims in their 20s, have spent much of their lives in the Philadelphia area. They are being held in the Federal Detention Center in Philadelphia.