Posted on 06/19/2002 4:40:54 AM PDT by TaRaRaBoomDeAyGoreLostToday!
BOSTON (AP) - Richard Reid had slurred speech and appeared sluggish as he was questioned by the FBI for allegedly trying to blow up a jetliner with explosives hidden in his shoes, an emergency medical technician testified.
The testimony came during a hearing Tuesday on Reid's request to suppress statements made after his arrest. Reid's lawyers claim he was still feeling the effects of Valium and sedatives that passengers forcibly injected into him while trying to restrain him.
Steven Solletti, an emergency medical technician, said that when he arrived at Logan International Airport, Reid's blood pressure was elevated and he appeared sleepy.
"His words, they appeared to be slurred, sluggish, kind of like he was intoxicated," Solletti said.
But two prosecution witnesses testified Reid did not appear to be affected by sedatives during questioning, about eight hours after he was injected.
Reid, 28, a British citizen who authorities allege was trained in Afghanistan by the al-Qaida terrorist group, is accused of trying to blow up American Airlines Flight 63 during its trip from Paris to Miami on Dec. 22. He has pleaded innocent to eight charges, including attempted murder of the 197 passengers and crew members.
Reid was overpowered by passengers and crew after he allegedly tried to light a fuse protruding from his shoe. Authorities said his shoes contained plastic explosives.
On Tuesday, Daniel Choldin, a special agent of the State Department, testfied for the prosecutors that Reid "spoke clearly and confidently."
"He seemed sure of himself and somewhat in control," Choldin said.
FBI Agent Bradley Davis said that after another FBI agent read Reid his Miranda rights, he acknowledged understanding.
Davis said he told Reid that he could stop the interview or choose not to answer questions. He said Reid answered some questions completely, while declining others.
"Typically, he would say, 'No comment' or 'Allah knows best' ... if he didn't give us a response to our question," Davis said.
Authorities have not released details, but have said in court papers that he confessed during the interviews.
Choldin said that at the end of their second interview, Reid was told he would have an initial court appearance.
Choldin testified that Reid said: "I'll plead guilty if you get the charges right."
Hearings on the suppression request were scheduled to continue Thursday.
Reid's trial is scheduled to begin Nov. 4.
AP-ES-06-19-02 0549EDT
This story can be found at : http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGAQWY11N2D.html
It seems normal for these folks.
Wasn't that a 60's television show in Afghanistan?
His 'frame of mind' is moot.
This scuzz terrorist better not get off on a technicality.
LOL!
They gave him a few shots, eh? First I've heard of this.
He's lucky I wasn't there. I'd have gone for the 'intra-eyeball injection protocol'...
Davis said he told Reid that he could stop the interview or choose not to answer questions. He said Reid answered some questions completely, while declining others.
I don't care if was chewing allah gum and on five different forms of crack LSD and heroine,he was read his rights and was offered to stop till later.
At least thats the fear of some that I have read. I don't agree with it. Terrorists are to be treated like terrorists.
This should be an open shut case that leads this loon to a firing squad, lethal injection is too light a sentence IMO.
My late Granny had the perfect, printable resonse to that line of reasoning: Bushwah!!
Would sedatives raise your blood pressure or lower it?
Lawyers looking to get their terrorist client off by any means necessary are evil.
Hmmm...
That's a good question.
I simply assumed that the passengers raided (or were given access to) a medical/first aid kit on board the plane.
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