The demand was denied: “Stating that she felt the decision to bar Amor M. Ftouhi, 49, from seeing witness contact information was ‘most prudent in the interest of public safety,’ Flint U.S. District Judge Linda V. Parker denied a motion from Ftouhi’s government-appointed attorney, Joan Morgan, in court on Wednesday, Sept. 6.”
A welcome bit of sanity from the courts.
“Flint airport stabbing suspect won’t get access to addresses of witnesses,” by Oona Goodin-Smith, mlive.com, September 6, 2017:
FLINT, MI – A judge has denied a request from the man accused of stabbing an on-duty Flint Bishop Airport police officer in the neck to see the addresses of those who may testify against him.
Stating that she felt the decision to bar Amor M. Ftouhi, 49, from seeing witness contact information was “most prudent in the interest of public safety,” Flint U.S. District Judge Linda V. Parker denied a motion from Ftouhi’s government-appointed attorney, Joan Morgan, in court on Wednesday, Sept. 6.
“Those were very disturbing statements that were made after his arrest,” Parker said, referring to a filing from the U.S. Attorney’s Office stating Ftouhi told officials detaining him that he came to the country with the “sole purpose of killing armed U.S. government employees.”
“There was no ramping down,” Parker said. “He targets a group of people by profession. Those statements need to be taken with some degree of seriousness.”
Ftouhi – who has previously appeared in court for each of the hearings in the case, repeatedly declaring “Allahu Akbar” as he walked to his seat at the counsel table – waived his appearance at Wednesday’s hearing.
“(Ftouhi) told the interviewing agents that he had planned to kill the victim police officer and then take the officer’s gun to kill more police officers.”
The motion filed in June by Morgan claimed that Ftouhi was being denied the right to a fair trial by not being allowed to view the addresses and contact information for witnesses in his upcoming trial, currently scheduled for January 2018.
According to court records, prosecutors have proposed a protective order agreement in the case that stipulates information prosecutors share with the defense would remain within Ftouhi’s legal counsel and not shared with Ftouhi nor used for anything but trial purposes.
The agreement also said that government will redact any identifying information other than witnesses’ names in their statements — a stipulation Morgan said prevents her from “adequately preparing for trial.”
Arguing that Ftouhi – a Canadian and Tunisian dual-citizen currently incarcerated in Michigan – cannot act against witnesses from jail and that witness addresses would remain with legal counsel only, Morgan stressed that the safety of witnesses in the case “is a non-issue.”
The attorney for the man accused of stabbing an on-duty Bishop Airport police officer in the neck says her client is being denied the right to a fair trial by not being allowed to see the addresses of those who may testify against him.
However, in court, Assistant U.S. Attorney Jules DePorre emphasized the potential “chilling effect” he believed allowing Ftouhi addresses could have in the matter.
“He had a mission and that mission was not accomplished,” DePorre said, explaining that it is plausible that Ftouhi could make a call from jail to reveal witness information to an “associate” in his home of Canada, and that the FBI could not investigate calls made to other countries in the same manner as in the U.S.
Parker said that while she would deny Ftouhi’s request for witness information, she “will remain open” to other arguments his attorney may have.
In an interview with government officials after he was arrested, Ftouhi allegedly told authorities he was a “soldier of Allah,” that his “mission” was not over and that he would continue to kill police officers until he was killed, according to the government’s filing.
“(Ftouhi) told the interviewing agents that he had planned to kill the victim police officer and then take the officer’s gun to kill more police officers,” the government’s response to the motion stated. “(Ftouhi) also told agents that he hoped the officer was going to die.”
In July, Ftouhi was indicted on one count of violence at an international airport and a charge of interference with airport security and faces the potential of a life sentence in prison.
He is accused of stabbing Flint Bishop Airport Police Lt. Jeff Neville in the neck with a large, serrated “Amazon Jungle Survival” knife on Wednesday, June 21.
Ftouhi shouted “Allahu Akbar” — “Allah is the greatest” — before making the attack, according to an affidavit filed by federal investigators.
After stabbing the officer in the neck, Ftouhi continued to yell, “Allah,” several times, the complaint said.
After stabbing Neville, the complaint said Ftouhi further exclaimed something similar to “You have killed people in Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan, and we are all going to die.”…
D Austin says
If the witnesses are police, let him have the addresses. He obviously has a suicide wish and and if he shows up uninvited they’ll help him along on his journey to the hereafter land of Muhammad (police beat upon him).
Westman says
Imagine Al Capone asking for the witness’ addresses. What is developing here, the MMM, the Michigan Muslim Mafia?
John Forbes says
YES – THE MUSLIM MAFIA IS ALREADY IN WITH THE MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD , C.A.I.R LEADING ADVOCATE IBRAHIM HOOPER & HIS FALSE PREMISES !! ( HONEST IB) THE SOUTHERN POVERTY LAW GROUP IS A COMPETING ISLAMIST GROUP TO SEE WHO CAN DO THE MOST DAMAGE IN THE US !
THEN OF COURSE THERE ARE MOSQUES WHERE IMAMS TEACH TOLERANCE TO THE PUBLIC FACE BUT ACTUALLY TEACH HATRED OF ALL NON BELIEVERS . APOSTATES & DEMOCRACY !
Robeaver says
Along with the Church hiding peds, and ruining youg. Boys. Behinds. And science deniers, that can only be good. Fallwell will get Orange to pray for less hurricanes. That will be good for the US as well. Maybe the hurricanes are just true horiscope predictions. That will help the US.
Screeminmeeme says
Like the fulminating cancer that it is, Islam is metastasizing throughout Michigan where I live.
The fetid odor of freedom’s putrification is already detectable and the total Islamization of the state is possible given the apathy of willfully ignorant citizens who choose to whitewash Islam rather than face the truth about it. Thinking it their duty to defend a besieged ‘benign’ religion, in truth they are useful idiots facilitating their own demise.
Suicide by Islam. .
Jeff says
I feel dreadful for the American families living in Michigan, being forced to stand by and watch their homeland be invaded step by step by those whose life mission is to disrupt our way of life and spread their cult. Only liberals think its a good idea to embrace and welcome those who have promised to kill us all.
LeftisruiningCanada says
Goodness, what a nut job. Hope the keys get lost after they lock him up, but hanging till dead dead dead may be the kinder option.
Alarmed Pig Farmer says
Remember what the Chechens did to the families of Russian pilots shot down over Checnya. I don’t think this Moslem is looking to send the witnesses strongly worded letters. He’s got assistance, Moslem activists always have assistants.
D Austin says
Intimidation might work in Democrat controlled states, but Republican controlled states are handing out concealed weapon permits to take care of business, while Democrats invite terrorism.
gravenimage says
Spot on, APF.
mortimer says
Smite their necks
Koran 8:12 “[Remember] when your Lord inspired to the angels, “I am with you, so strengthen those who have believed. I will cast terror into the hearts of those who disbelieved, so strike [them] upon the necks and strike from them every fingertip.”
Koran 47:4: “So when you meet those who disbelieve [in battle], strike [their] necks until, when you have inflicted slaughter upon them, then secure their bonds, and either [confer] favor afterwards or ransom [them] until the war lays down its burdens. That [is the command]. And if Allah had willed, He could have taken vengeance upon them [Himself], but [He ordered armed struggle] to test some of you by means of others. And those who are killed in the cause of Allah – never will He waste their deeds.
Tom says
Oh Boy !!! Yet ANOTHER Canadian terrorist to whom our idiotic Prime Minister Trudeau can give millions of dollars in compensation for being found guilty and jailed for committing an act of terror.
To prosecutors in the USA please stop catching and convicting our terrorists …. you are too efficient, and will end up bankrupting Canada ( Sarc off)
LeftisruiningCanada says
Yeah, it’s shameful that our county is known to be an easy route for attackers to enter the US.
And then we blame The Ultimate Liberal Bogeyman Trump when crossing the border takes s little longer…….
gravenimage says
Yes–countries that allow in these ravening Mohammedans are endangering their neighbors, as well.
DogOnPorch says
Good idea for a change.
Planning a bit of witness intimidation? Or worse….
Andy says
He demands!! Give a break!
I demand Amor M. Ftouhi get a swift kick in his ass back to his jail cell and then deport the little terrorist backward thinking moslem back to Tunisia.
Thank God for small mercies, we have a common sense judge in our day and age of mentally disordered liberals!
I wonder about leftists says
Yes, why not, but John is right, be aware, drip by drip and then all of a sudden it will hit us all.
Abu Nudnik says
Aside from the risk factor, what court is in the business of assisting in witness tampering? There is no legitimate reason for any defendant to meet any witness except in court.
Abu Nudnik says
If I had been the judge, I’d have jailed the lawyer for contempt. Even asking for the addresses is tantamount to witness tampering.
Guy Forester says
1. Investigate this attorney for ties to MB or Hamas, etc. Remember the Blind Sheikh’s fat ugly attorney? She ended up in Fed prison herself for aiding the terrorist imam.
2. Based upon assailant’s own admission, declare him an unlawful combatant and send to gitmo. All legal activities get moved to military court. Tell current attorney she is next.
3. Contact assailant’s attorney. Select one random witness (preferably the most vulnerable, like a female), and give attorney my home address instead. 🙂
davej says
What conceivable purpose would an attempted murder suspect have for witness home addresses except intimidation or elimination?
The attorney should be disbarred for even asking.
gravenimage says
Michigan: Muslim who stabbed cop while screaming “Allahu akbar” demands home addresses of witnesses
………………
What could go wrong with that?
Luckily, the judge had enough sense to deny this outrageous demand.
tgusa says
The good people of America demand a list of the perps family friends associates and acquaintances. And while we are at it how about tossing in a list of the lawyers as well.
Frank Anderson says
“Any corrupt endeavor to harass, oppress or intimidate a victim, witness or party in a federal court proceeding. . .” 18 U.S.C. Section 1503, later re-codified by the Victims and Witnesses Protection Act of 1982 In 18 U.S.C, 1512. I think, my opinion, that a potential juror is fairly included as a party under this statute. The statute applies before, during and after the trial. How many times in real life, not in the movies and on television, have confined inmates relied on “friends” to silence witnesses or intimidate jurors? (Think of Al Capone and John Gotti for examples) “A lawyer’s duty of zealous advocacy of the client’s interest is limited by an equally solemn duty to uphold the law and the standards of professional conduct.” Nix v. Whiteside, 475 U.S. 157 (1986). “The law does not make a lawyer’s office a nest of vipers in which to hatch out frauds and perjuries.” Gebhardt v. United Railways, 220 S.W. 67 o. 1920).
I have not even gone to the statute regarding jury tampering. I wonder what would have happened if the defense asked for the judge’s home address. I am pretty sure that the defense doe not get a chance to depose witnesses in federal criminal trials. They can review most if not all of the prosecutor’s evidence and files, but I question whether they can use the interview or deposition of witnesses as in a civil trial. I will cheerfully accept correction if I am in error. A frequent error to appeal is the failure of the prosecutor to provide evidence in a timely manner (suppression) before trial.
A conviction cannot stand through appeals unless the defendant is represented by a zealous and competent defense. To be such, a lawyer must walk a tightrope between zeal and duty. Back to Nix and several former attorneys now jailed or disbarred for misconduct. A competent and zealous defense lawyer is as vital to a valid conviction as admissible evidence, a fair judge, an unbiased jury and a trial conducted according to the rules. Without a defense there can be no valid conviction..
dumbledoresarmy says
From the article – “Ftouhi – a Canadian and Tunisian dual-citizen currently incarcerated in Michigan…”.
Canada should strip him of the Canadian part of his citizenship.
Then, once he is sentenced, and has served his sentence, he should be deported inexorably to Tunisia; since under current US and Canadian law he can’t be shot as an enemy agent/ spy.
If Tunisia refuses to take him then he just gets dropped off on one of their beaches, regardless; and again, IF Tunisia refuses to take back the dangerous garbage they have produced and then unloaded on others, then henceforth ALL Tunisian-passport-holding persons (the population is 100 percent mohammedan) and any person claiming to be Tunisian, will be *denied* entry to any Infidel state.
Sarah says
Call me hopelessly cynical, but would have the Judge been so alarmed at this freak’s desire to target specific profession of employees – if they were not government employees?
I’m glad his intentions were thwarted with wanting witness details (what the hell?) – That’s not rocket science to deny that, obviously.
Grampa says
We in Michigan are becoming aware of the Muslim problem. because they will not integrate into society and congregate in communities to create their own world it becomes much easier to act when the time comes. we know where you are and if you become a threat the citizens of America are ready. It is too bad because I have become friends with many who have chosen to live among us in peace. they live in my neighborhood and cause no problems to anyone. they will receive my support should someone put them in danger. should they choose sides with the violent and offer threat of anyone then they would get equal attention and actions directed as would any threat. I have no doubt that we will see a time when they feel they can overcome and concur by force. it will be their last mistake. our government has let these people immigrate so they can cause problems. problems that government will claim that only they can solve. at what cost? the laws they will pass will restrict our freedoms. we saw with clarity what Obama did. he would put a patch upon the problem just large enough to contain them until the next time. these people have been raised on violence. it is the only life they understand. they are like the parasite and like all parasites if not taken from the body will kill the host. We know where you are and you cant hide. threaten my family and I will introduce you to your god personally. My time is closing on earth. If I have nothing else to contribute to my family it will be to take at least one of you thru the gates of hell.
Grampa
Jeff says
Wow….that is extremely rare these days. A judge actually made a wise decision in the interest of public safety and common sense. We can all hope that this will have a ripple effect throughout the judiciary across our country.
Henry jones says
Why not give the addresses? Muslims are peaceful. Why, it’s racist to deny him. And so what if he yelled allahua akbar , that doesnt mean his stabbings have anything to do with islam. You people are horrible…
Ok, sarcasm filter off.
Can’t get over the arrogance that he thought they’d give them up. What…was he gonna send them fruit baskets? More like bomb baskets.