Posted on 06/11/2002 1:08:37 PM PDT by JohnathanRGalt
The lawyer for one of the men accused of aiding a Lebanese militia group sought Tuesday to cast doubt on the testimony of a key prosecution witness.
The witness, Said Harb, told jurors Monday that Mohamad Youssef Hammoud had regularly sought donations for Hezbollah, the Lebanese nationalistic group the U.S. government considers a terrorist organization.
Attorney Deke Falls, who represents Hammoud, asked Harb about the deal he cut with prosecutors. The deal would keep Harb in prison for six and a half to eight years, and the government, in exchange for Harb's guilty plea and testimony, agreed to bring his family to the United States from Lebanon.
Falls also suggested that Harb was enjoying his time on the witness stand. "The persona that you're putting on in the court here, that's what you do, to `smooze up' to people and get them to like you," Falls told Harb. "Then you take them to the cleaners, right?"
Falls continued: "You had half the jury smiling and laughing with you yesterday. And they don't even know you."
Harb replied that he was concerned about the defendants, Hammoud and his brother, Chawki Youssef Hammoud.
"They're my friends," Harb said. "I'm not enjoying this a bit."
Falls also questioned Harb about an Internet pornography business the defense alleges he was involved in. Harb has acknowledged having some financial ties to the alleged operator of the business. But he denied having anything directly to do with the business.
Harb has pleaded guilty to conspiring to provide material support to Hezbollah. Mohamad Hammoud is being tried on that charge. On Tuesday Harb made it clear to jurors that he didn't believe he and his friends should be prohibited from providing money to Hezbollah.
"I believe it's a bad law. I still believe we had the right to donate to Hezbollah," Harb said.
The Hammouds are accused of being members of a Hezbollah cell in Charlotte. Hezbollah, founded in 1982 to fight the Israeli occupation of southern Lebanon, is one of more than two dozen groups the United States has designated as a foreign terrorist organization.
Mohamad Hammoud, 28, is the first person ever tried under a 1996 federal law banning material support to a foreign terrorist group. If convicted, he could face as much as 30 years to life in prison.
That's fine! Then you also have the right to have a microscope stuffed up your A$$ and have no right to complain.
"You are with us, or you are with the terrorists!". Looks like the "witness" is WILLINGLY with the terrorists.
Where's the yard arm?
You also have the right to remain silent...so remain silent. And if you feel so strongly about donating to Hezbollah, then donate to Delta so you can go be with them. Remember, Delta is ready when you are...
Why, this IS good news! We get to send 3 muslim scum bags to prison where they’ll be looked upon as leaders by the multitude of new muslims there, attracted by the cool new name and the goofy hats. With any luck, they can attract another Jose Padilla.
I’m sure when they’re released, they’ll be totally rehabilitated and harbor no more love for Hizbollah or a jihad against the West. Nope, they’ll do their very best to become productive citizens just like the many immigrants before them did.
Either way, with the government’s hardball negotiating, we’ll be on the receiving end of a huge wad of Hizbollah sympathizing, west hating muslims as a reward for Harb snitching on his fellow practioners of the “religion of peace”.
Owl_Eagle
”Guns Before Butter.”
Let me get this straight. This guy is involved with a terrorist organization and because he helped the government they're bringing his family to the United States???
I have never of a plea bargain so stupid in my life.
I believe its a bad law too. They should be able to donate to whoever they want, but people who donate to terrorists should be shipped out of the country immediately. Citizen or not, assist the enemy and you are history.
Instead we get to pay for this idiots incarceration for 8 years and then he gets to bring his whole traitor family over here. Sheesh.... the gov't makes it really hard for a person to believe they know what they are doing.
We have a whole pot full of so called conservatives on FR, who will defend wow, the right to give aid to our enemy!
Then, they will try to derail any attempt to investigate and round those who would give aid and comfort to those who would kill us!
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