UNC attack suspect wanted to punish gov't (of the United States)

ap/modbee ^ | 3-6-06 | steve hartsoe

[LouAvul]

A University of North Carolina graduate accused of running down nine people on campus told an emergency dispatcher he wanted to "punish the government of the United States for their actions around the world," according to a 911 recording released Monday.

Mohammed Reza Taheri-azar, a 22-year-old native of Iran, called 911 to surrender Friday a few minutes after a sport utility vehicle sent students scurrying to escape. No one was seriously hurt.

Taheri-azar was later charged with nine counts of attempted murder and nine counts of assault, and his bail was set at $5.5 million.

University Police Chief Derek Poarch said Taheri-azar told investigators he intentionally hit people to "avenge the deaths of Muslims around the world."

At his first appearance Monday in Orange County court in Hillsborough, Taheri-azar told the judge he planned to represent himself and was "thankful for the opportunity to spread the will of Allah." He was assigned a public defender, but ignored the lawyer's advice to stop talking.

"In this case, they're gonna ultimately allow him to represent himself," District Attorney Jim Woodall said after the hearing. "It's clear to me that that's what he truly wants to do."

[LouAvul]

Oh yea, Islam is a peace loving religion, all right.

(And tell me again, where did I hear that?)

[indcons]

Ping

[cardinal4]

And why isnt this Islamic terrorism?

[paul51]

He should be treated as a prisoner of war and sent to GITMO

[RegulatorCountry]

"And why isnt this Islamic terrorism?"

Only because a new, slippery euphemism has been coined: "religious revenge."

[Sometimes A River]

"David Schanzer, the director of the Triangle Center on Terrorism and Homeland Security at Duke University and UNC-Chapel Hill, said it is fine for students to voice their dismay, but that they should be cautious. “(They should) understand the roots of it and understand the strategies for addressing it in a constructive way,” Schanzer said.

He takes the same position as officials at the Islamic Center of Raleigh."

[Triggerhippie]

he wanted to "punish the government of the United States for their actions around the world,"

You showed 'em, haji! Time for jail.

Buh-bye!

[Sometimes A River]

Calling it terrorism may upset a Muslim.

[mmercier]

He deserves a fair trial and a quick hanging.

Likely he will spend the next 80 years in the can, on the taxpayers dime.

[Mr. Mojo]

Exactly how would killing innocent people on campus who most likely have nothing to do with the U.S. gov't be "punishing the government of the United States for its actions around the world?" What a wuss.

[livius]

Incredible. I think we're in Never Never Land.

[livius]

I'd say he'll get about 10 years, max.

[RegulatorCountry]

"If you want to punish the Government, you could have run down a Senator from New York.......Either one."

Heck, he could've gone after Erskine Bowles, or made a short jaunt out to Chatham County to run down the Breck Girl, if he wanted to make a statement against the government. Something tells me he wouldn't run down an ally, though.

[TommyDale]

They should take him to a redneck bar and release him there.
Justice would be served.

[Youngman442002]

What is really weird is that he is wealthy..smart..and totally unrepentant for what he has done..he smiles while he was being arrested...and he speaks freely about what he did....this is the scary part..no remorse..and was not some poor uneducated person that this was his only way out...like the liberals want us to think...it has nothing to do with their poverty..or their lack of education....its their religion...if you want to call it that

[359Henrie]

Concure

[RegulatorCountry]

"They should take him to a redneck bar and release him there. Justice would be served."

I know just the place: Smurf's Tavern, Danbury, NC. They'll fix him right up, lol.

[Free ThinkerNY]

He's one of the Muslim Borg. Part of the Muslim Master Race. Heil Allah!!

[bvw]

IOW, it was an act of terrorism.