That point is not in dispute. “Synagogue bomb plotters had no knowledge of explosive devices: Defense,” by Reuven Fenton in the New York Post, June 21:
The homegrown terrorists accused of plotting to shoot down military planes and blow up synagogues were bumbling idiots who knew nothing about explosive devices, their lawyers said yesterday.
Attorneys for the four men, busted last year on terrorism charges that included plans to bomb two Riverdale synagogues and shoot down military aircraft at Stewart Air National Guard Base in Newburgh, made their case for bail at a bail hearing in federal court in White Plains….
Defense lawyers argued that an FBI informant, entrapped James Cromitie, 44, and David Williams, 28, Onta Williams, 32 and Laguerre Payen, 27, bribing them with money and, in one case, a BMW.
“These four clients did not plan anything,” said Susanne Brody, a lawyer for Onta Williams. “The government planned every step of the way.”
Brody said they only practiced with missile launchers for a half-hour.
“You need a little more than the 30 minutes of training to operate this equipment.”…
Prosecutor David Raskin argued that entrapment was a weak defense considering the defendants were prepared to blow up buildings….
Uh, yeah.