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Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab Attends Court, Not Guilty Plea Entered

Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab appeared in federal court in Detroit today. A guilty plea was entered on his behalf.

His head was shaved, which according to observers, made him look even younger than his 23 years.

He is represented by the Federal Defender's office. His parents have hired U.S. lawyers from Nigeria to observe the proceedings and keep them informed, but Federal Defender Miriam Siefer (an excellent attorney) told the court their office expects to continue to represent Umar.

Umar faces a possible life sentence on the first count in the Indictment, attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction.

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    Jeralyn (5.00 / 1) (#1)
    by AlkalineDave on Fri Jan 08, 2010 at 02:04:12 PM EST
    you say guilty and not guilty.   I am confused.

    ditto (none / 0) (#2)
    by jedimom on Fri Jan 08, 2010 at 02:04:43 PM EST
    Not guilty plea entered for Detroit terror suspect
    Paul Egan, Doug Guthrie and Mike Wilkinson / The Detroit News
    Detroit -- The Nigerian man accused of trying to bring down an airliner on Christmas Day with explosives hidden in his underwear said little during his first federal court appearance this afternoon and a not guilty plea was entered on his behalf.


    Parent
    Not guilty? (none / 0) (#4)
    by jimakaPPJ on Fri Jan 08, 2010 at 02:45:21 PM EST
    What was this? An attempt at self circumcision?

    Parent
    In case you're not joking, Jim (5.00 / 1) (#6)
    by Peter G on Fri Jan 08, 2010 at 06:07:54 PM EST
    A plea of "not guilty" is not an assertion about the facts of the case.  It's a formality -- an acknowledgment of the charges and recognition that a process has begun to unfold under which the government bears the burden of proof, as to each element of each particular charge set forth in the indictment.  Whether he will eventually change that plea to "guilty" of some charge or other (as about 90% of federal defendants do), or on the other hand stand trial, is a decision to be made down the pike quite a way.

    Parent
    No, just warming the cabin (none / 0) (#5)
    by KeysDan on Fri Jan 08, 2010 at 02:58:15 PM EST
    with morning wood.

    Parent