Al-Arian’s Defense Rests Without Presenting Witnesses
Here’s a strange move from alleged Islamic Jihad kingpin Sami Al-Arian’s defense attorney: Fired professor presents no defense in terrorism-support trial. (Hat tip: SoCalJustice.)
After hearing from government witnesses for nearly five months, an attorney for a fired college professor charged with aiding Palestinian terrorists rested his case Thursday without calling a single witness.
After summoning more than 70 witnesses, federal prosecutors rested their case earlier Thursday morning against Sami Al-Arian and three other defendants accused of raising money and supporting the murderous mission of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad or PIJ.
Al-Arian’s attorney, William Moffitt, stunned most in the courtroom when he told U.S. District Judge James S. Moody Jr. that he also would rest. Attorneys for Al-Arian’s three co-defendants began presenting their cases, which could take weeks more. Because the trial was continuing Thursday morning, neither side was immediately available for comment.



