Last Night in Little Rock Wins Terrorism Trial

By Jeralyn, Section Terror Trials
Posted on Tue Jun 20, 2006 at 12:26:42 PM EST
Tags: (all tags)

Share This: Digg!

Kudos to John Wesley Hall, who contributes to TalkLeft as Last Night in Little Rock. He's been silent here for a while, and here's why: He's been defending a man accused of providing material support to terrorists in Arkansas. Yesterday the jury returned a verdict of not guilty on the charge.

Arwah Jaber, a naturalized U.S. citizen born in the West Bank town of Yamoun, was acquitted Monday of providing material support to the recognized terrorist organization, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, but he was convicted on five lesser charges related to immigration and credit card fraud.

Jaber plans to go back home and teach when his legal problems are over. He received his doctorate in chemistry from the University of Arkansas. He said he would like to stay and teach in Arkansas if allowed but realizes that may not be possible.

The Government has moved to revoke his citizenship. But LNIR made some great arguments and the Court has taken it under advisement and allowed Jaber to remain on bond.

John Wesley Hall, Jr., Jaber's attorney, questioned whether the court has the jurisdiction to order Jaber to be detained for the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency.

Hall also asked the court if the statute mentioned in the revocation request meant conviction as when the jury renders a verdict or after sentencing. Hall asked the court if Jaber's naturalization is revoked and then the defense wins an appeal, would Jaber's naturalization be reinstated.

Here's the paper's description of the case:

Jaber and his wife, Dawn, were pulled out of line by FBI agents at the Northwest Regional Airport on June 14, 2005 on their way to Palestine. Jaber told his doctoral professor and others at the university that he was going to Palestine to "fight for freedom, peace and justice." Jaber testified last week he was frustrated with a professor over delays in graduating and made the statements in an effort to sway the teacher into approving his degree. He said he didn't mean any of it and recanted the statements under questioning by FBI agents.

< More on Torture, Rove and Jailing the Undocumented | 9 Juvenile Prison Guards Charged for Sex With Teen Inmates >