Life in prison for Padilla?
In sentencing, the judge must find that the convicted Al Qaeda recruit aimed to influence a government. But his trial has scant record of motive.
from the January 15, 2008 edition
Page 3 of 3
The terrorism enhancement issue goes to the heart of a deep disagreement between defense lawyers and prosecutors over the way the Padilla trial is being conducted. Prosecutors charged Padilla, Hassoun, and Jayyousi with conspiring to help militant Islamic groups overseas wage violent jihad. Specifically, they were charged with conspiring to murder, kidnap, and maim people overseas and providing material support for terrorists.
Prosecutors argued that though the three men did not personally participate in killings, kidnappings, and bombings, they could be held criminally liable for such terrorist acts because they shared the goal of waging violent jihad. The jury found the defendants had the necessary criminal intent.
Defense lawyers say the government should be required in a terrorism murder conspiracy case to prove a closer connection to actual acts of murder by terrorists, either planned or carried out.
Prosecutors say Padilla's motive to affect the conduct of government can be inferred from his attendance at a military training camp in Afghanistan.
"He went there to learn to kill," Shipley said. "There was no question that when you went to one of those camps there was an interest to kill."
Caruso says the government's evidence does not prove Padilla attended the camp, only that he filled out an informational form associated with the camp.
A government witness who attended the same training camp testified during the trial that mere presence at the camp did not guarantee membership in Al Qaeda and did not require future participation in possible Al Qaeda attacks.
Defendants who have received the terrorism enhancement in other cases were directly involved in planning or carrying out violent acts, Caruso says.
The evidence at trial shows that Padilla traveled to the Middle East to study Islam and Arabic and that he filled out an application, Caruso says. But there is no evidence in the trial record related to Padilla's motives or thoughts about politics or even jihad, he says.
"Where is the evidence that Jose was motivated by a desire to oppose existing governments?" he asked. "There is none." Caruso added, "Did he speak of establishing Islamic states anywhere in the world? No."
Shipley countered, "These defendants did what they did because they had a broader agenda in mind. If not, what was the purpose of the violent activities they supported?"
RSS feed
