Impassioned arguments
Impassioned arguments filled the courtroom this morning, as both sides argued whether four fatwas, or fatawa - plural of fatwa - should be shown to the jury. The four offer religious justifications for suicide attacks, particularly against Jews. They were posted in the spring of 2001 on a web site connected to the defendant, Sami Al-Hussayen.
“It would be natural, your honor, if the defendant did not agree with these statements, for him to do something to demonstrate that he didn’t agree,” federal prosecutor David Deitch told the judge. “But what does he do? He passes it along to millions of people.”
Lead defense attorney David Nevin again called the prosecution’s approach an “assault on the First Amendment.”
The judge will announce his decision shortly.
“It would be natural, your honor, if the defendant did not agree with these statements, for him to do something to demonstrate that he didn’t agree,” federal prosecutor David Deitch told the judge. “But what does he do? He passes it along to millions of people.”
Lead defense attorney David Nevin again called the prosecution’s approach an “assault on the First Amendment.”
The judge will announce his decision shortly.
* This story was originally published as a post from the blog "Eye On Boise." Read all stories from this blog