Posted on 07/13/2005 7:16:11 PM PDT by Tumbleweed_Connection
An influential Muslim scholar, whom prosecutors called a "purveyor of hate and war," was ordered Wednesday to spend the rest of his life in prison for inciting his young followers in Northern Virginia to wage war against the United States in the days after the Sept. 11 attacks.
The scholar, Ali al-Timimi, was defiant to the end, telling a federal judge as he was about to be sentenced that he considered himself a "prisoner of conscience" who was being persecuted for his strong Muslim beliefs.
"I will not admit guilt nor seek the court's mercy," Mr. Timimi told a hushed courtroom filled with more than two dozen Muslims who have rallied around him. "I do this simply because I am innocent."
The federal district judge hearing the case, Leonie M. Brinkema, ordered the life sentence grudgingly, saying she was bound by federal guidelines.
While Judge Brinkema said there was significant evidence that Mr. Timimi had incited his followers toward violence, she said she considered the prison terms mandated by the guidelines under four counts of the conviction to be "very draconian." She said she had no choice but to impose the life sentence after refusing a defense request to set aside the guilty verdicts...
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
Oh, Leoni... just pretend he was some redneck inciting violence toward gays. There. Feel better about that life sentence? Sure you do.
I keep thinking that a fitting punishment for these guys would be the wood chipper from "Fargo"..mixed with some pig offall..
When did they slack off of the sentenance?? It should be death right!?
If the gov't was serious at all, he'd be executed. This guy will be out of prison in less than ten years.
Put em to death and be done with it.
Stop wasting taxpayer dollars and time.
"The federal district judge hearing the case, Leonie M. Brinkema, ordered the life sentence grudgingly"
Was she a Clintoon appointee? Thank God for Federal Sentencing Guidelines Yer Honor
And in that ten years he will have converted three or four dozen inmates to his sick and bloody philosophy. Sparky knows best.
You have the right to remain silent Judge Brinkema.
I think in the federal system life means life, no parole.
In less than 10 years.
Of course they feel sympathy for a fellow-traveler.
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