Little Green Footballs - Roche Pleads Guilty in Australia

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-♻RetweetRoche Pleads Guilty in Australia

Fri, May 28, 2004 at 9:06:46 am PDT

Jack Roche, the British-born Muslim convert recruited by Al Qaeda to attack the Israeli embassy in Canberra, Australia, has suddenly changed his plea from innocent to guilty: Roche Pleads Guilty in Australia Bomb Plot.

The trial of the Muslim convert, who first came in contact with Islamic militants in Australia and who later lunched with Osama bin Laden in Afghanistan, threw new light on how terrorist cells are operating in Asian region.

After making contact with the Southeast Asian terror group Jemaah Islamiyah in the western Australian city of Perth, Roche met with the group’s senior operatives before traveling to Pakistan and eventually to an al-Qaida training camp in Afghanistan where he met bin Laden.

At his trial this week, Roche told Perth District Court that when al-Qaida terrorists in Afghanistan told him to investigate the possibilities of bombing Israeli targets in Australia back in April 2000, he went along with the plan, partly because he feared they would kill him otherwise.

Roche changed his plea 10 days into his trial, avoiding further cross-examination that was to continue Friday. The 50-year-old faces a maximum 25-year prison term when the court rules on his sentence next Tuesday.

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74 comments

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V the K Fri, May 28, 2004 7:09:37am

He must have lacked confidence in Johnny Cochrane's 'Chewbacca' defense.

KevinV Fri, May 28, 2004 7:10:32am

Jack Roche, meet "Mike" Hawash...

Swampthing Fri, May 28, 2004 7:13:58am

Second time posting here.

Perth is my home town.

This is VERY close to home for me!

pat Fri, May 28, 2004 7:15:20am

Ultimately, these vermin are so transparently primitive in their hatred. Is there something about being a Muslim that makes you shit your brains out?

Ed Moran:Abu Must hafa Camel Mustafa Fri, May 28, 2004 7:15:36am

1) What is the Chewbacca defense?

Just received an unsolicited resume by fax from a geologist with experience as the well site geologist (mud-logger?) in over 50 Gulf Coast wells, plus 3 years as a staff geologist at Citgo.

So far, so good, but he lists 5 references on the second page. The references are listed with name, job title and phone number. Except the third of five. The middle reference is "Jim Moncrief (Geologist) deceased".

He listed a dead man as a reference. Does one use a Ouija board to check the references, or what?

Victoria (VA girl) Fri, May 28, 2004 7:16:09am

Roche changed his plea 10 days into his trial, avoiding further cross-examination that was to continue Friday.

Why would his plea change put a stop to his cross examination? Am I reading that wrong?

Colt Fri, May 28, 2004 7:17:08am

#5 Ed Moran:Abu Must hafa Camel Mustafa

LOL!

mbruce Fri, May 28, 2004 7:18:14am

Is this a case of someone telling him to pack it in rather than offer up any intel?

SoCalJustice Fri, May 28, 2004 7:18:58am

Maybe one day people will realize that converting to the religion of peace often ends in incarceration (Roche, Lindh, Padilla, and my favorite, Randall Royer). Now hopefully that kid from the O.C. wlll meet the same fate.

(#3) Swampthing

G'day! And welcome.

Swampthing Fri, May 28, 2004 7:19:31am

Cheers man!

hepcat Fri, May 28, 2004 7:20:29am

#4 pat

Quite true. That's probably why they were placing panties over the prisoners heads - to keep the floors clean!

Smit Fri, May 28, 2004 7:20:35am

British-born Muslim convert has been convicted

From the BBC - it's got a picture of him. I just want to go on the record and state I hate those uglyass mustacheless beards.

I mean this as no ethnic or cultural slam - and I know Abe Lincoln had one, but as a girl I think mustacheless beards are worse than oh, socks with sandals.

Ann Fri, May 28, 2004 7:20:53am

#6 Victoria (Va Girl)

The trial is now over with a plea of guilt. No need to proceed.

- Ann (Va Girl)
p.s. Have fun at Rolling Thunder! Must be a great experience.

Ed Moran:Abu Must hafa Camel Mustafa Fri, May 28, 2004 7:22:13am

Hey, I've been intoxicated (Swan Lager and Emu, mainly) in Perth and Freemantle.

Except the time in 1985 I went to an American themed bar, that featured waitresses in red, white and blue bikinis, where I consumed the American Budweiser (not to be confused with the similar tasting, but slightly tastier Czech Budweiser I have had the pleasure to consume) in keeping with the spirit of the place.

Another geologist (different from the dead references guy) just called to see if we're hiring. I wonder what is up with that?

V the K Fri, May 28, 2004 7:22:45am

The Chewbacca Defense

SoCalJustice Fri, May 28, 2004 7:23:18am

Re: changing his plea.

My first instinct is that prison in Australia - like the U.S. - has its fair share of Muslims and Muslim converts.

If you come in with a reputation for ratting out your fellow RoPers, prison might not be that hospitable a place (or less than it is under normal circumstances). His lawyer might have told him that he's going to prison either way, might as well not make things worse for himself.

Axiom aka Iron Chef Patton Fri, May 28, 2004 7:24:28am

From BBC source.

Roche said Indonesian cleric Abu Bakar Ba'asyir - who he claims headed JI - eventually told him to halt his plans following disagreements within the group.

Attn: PM Megawati, the pattern is full. I repeat. The pattern is full.

Swampthing Fri, May 28, 2004 7:24:55am

Freo is really nice. There is a Bar I used to go there to hear Folk and Irish music, though I forget the name.

Another place in Fremantle is Mojos, a place which caters to local musicians.

Ed Moran:Abu Must hafa Camel Mustafa Fri, May 28, 2004 7:25:38am

I looked at that picture on your BBC link, and for some reason, first thought in my mind was "Call me Ishmael".

I'm actually 97.3% caught up on my work, and should easily finish what needs doing after I hit the gym/do lunch here shortly.

My supervisors aren't here, maybe I'll ring 'em up on the cell phone and ask to leave early.

Ed Moran:Abu Must hafa Camel Mustafa Fri, May 28, 2004 7:26:41am

He was born "Paul Holland" and took the Muslim name "Jack Roche"?

I'm confused.

Swampthing Fri, May 28, 2004 7:27:51am

Am I the only one to think of a pun involving the word "cock"?

Ed Moran:Abu Must hafa Camel Mustafa Fri, May 28, 2004 7:28:24am

"If Chewbacca lives on Endor you must acquit"?

Thats not even funny.

Victoria (VA girl) Fri, May 28, 2004 7:29:28am

#13 Ann

p.s. Have fun at Rolling Thunder! Must be a great experience.

Thanks, Ann! The dedication to the WWII memorial is also this weekend. Between the ride with over 200,000 bikes, visiting the Wall and the new memorial it ought to be an amazing day! I've been riding in Rolling Thunder for several years now and it never grows old. An amazing group of people...and always a blast! (Pray for no rain, please...ha!)

lawhawk Fri, May 28, 2004 7:32:02am

Isn't anyone in the slightest bit interested in why he suddenly changed his plea so as to avoid further cross examination?

What other information does he have in his possession that we may not be able to put on the table?

V the K Fri, May 28, 2004 7:32:02am

#22 --- Some people get South Park, some people don't. Not my problem.

Ed Moran:Abu Must hafa Camel Mustafa Fri, May 28, 2004 7:34:14am

OT- US soldiers status changed from KIA opening days of war to murdered by Iraqi captors.

Pentagon officials announced the details Thursday. Walters' status was changed by the military earlier this month from Killed in Action to POW - Murdered.

I suspect, if given the choice, he would have preferred the naked human pyramid, or even having his genitals fondled by Iraqi women soldiers.

Jamie Irons Fri, May 28, 2004 7:39:38am

Forgive my going way OT, but this article at the invaluable Belmont Club ("The Global Battlefield") is the most brilliant analysis of the problem(s) we face that I have yet encountered.

Jamie Irons

Awanna abu humiliated Fri, May 28, 2004 7:40:31am

Just sayin. Try it once, see how it works for me.

Ed Moran:Abu Must hafa Camel Mustafa Fri, May 28, 2004 7:40:45am

I don't watch South Park regularly much anymore.

They did an episode during the whole Andrea Yates thing joking about mothers killing their children. You can talk to me about no-holes barred comedy, and nothing is sacred, and all that, but I didn't see the humor in it.

OT, my boss has the audio file of Terrence and Philip singing "Uncle F*cker" from the movie, which (he owns the company, he can do what he wants) he plays loudly from time to time. Of course, when Kennie comes back at the end of BL&U to save the world, well, I practically got misty. But I got misty watching the end of "A River Runs Through It", "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon", and "The Death of the Incredible Hulk" (TV movie w/ the late Bill Bixby) so that doesn't say much.

He also has "Boomer Sooner" on a file on his computer, and Texas hasn't beaten OU since Clinton was POTUS, but that is a different story.

jeremybi Fri, May 28, 2004 7:42:33am

OT:

The Stanley Cup Finals series, tied at 1-1 returns to Calgary. I hope the Flames beat the Tampa Bay Lightning.

And congratulations to Porto on their Champios League victory on Wednesday over Monaco.

pat Fri, May 28, 2004 7:42:44am

OT There is a really good discussion regarding Nick Berg at Lucianne.com

twisterella Fri, May 28, 2004 7:43:15am

Charles, something nasty is posting pr0n links at the bottom of the aged threads-- could you squash it please?

Sarah D. Fri, May 28, 2004 7:47:51am

#30 jeremybi

Not a chance, the Lightnening will douse the Flames!

Sarah D. (in Tampa)

Ann Fri, May 28, 2004 7:49:29am

#24 lawhawk:

Ugh. I just hope that he has been fully interrogated by the authorities... maybe he just wanted to avoid public testimony.

Globular Cluster Fri, May 28, 2004 7:50:59am

So let's see... the guy flies to Pakistan, joins a terrorist training camp in Afghanistan, meets with senior AQ guys...

and now claims he was forced to plan these attacks because he feared AQ would kill him.

What an asshat. Sad thing is, the legal system will probably buy it.

[Engineer] Fri, May 28, 2004 7:54:34am

#24 lawhawk

What other information does he have in his possession that we may not be able to put on the table?

Exactly. In the BBC story it sounds like the prosecutor was getting close to something Roche didn't want to talk about.

After Roche pleaded guilty on Friday, his Indonesian wife said that he was tired and depressed after the previous day's cross-examination.
"He doesn't want to speak anymore. You know, he's (a) human being," she said, in tears. "I don't know, maybe the prosecutor is not human... he just asked again and again and again," the Associated Press quoted her as saying.

Maybe they can offer him something to get him to talk - like not getting put in with the bikers.

Jamie Irons Fri, May 28, 2004 7:58:08am

Ed Moran: Abu... (#29), you wrote:

But I got misty watching the end of "A River Runs Through It", "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon", and "The Death of the Incredible Hulk" (TV movie w/ the late Bill Bixby) so that doesn't say much.

Hey, wait a minute. I got misty at the end of "A River Runs Through It," too.

Of course, come to think of it, I also got misty the last time I caught a brown trout on a #18 Blue-Winged Olive pattern in Hot Creek... (An event so rare as to occasion tears every time!)

;-)

Odd May weather here in Napa Valley: rain last night, kind of humid still this morning.

I'm off to McEvoy Ranch to purchase a few olive trees...

Jamie Irons

Gargamel Fri, May 28, 2004 8:02:55am

OT:

From DEBKAfile:

In the US, radical London Muslim cleric Abu Hamza faces 11 charges of terrorism, hostage taking and supporting al Qaeda. He is in British detention on US extradition warrant. UK interior minister Blunkett wants US consent not to seek death sentence

I'm just wondering why the Brits would care if he gets the death penalty? He will get a fair trial and if he is guilty why shouldn't he be punished in accordance with our laws?

I remember reading a poll a couple years back that said that the majority of Brits would support bringing back the death penalty.

twisterella Fri, May 28, 2004 8:03:31am

#35 Globby! I brought you a present! Have you forgiven me for the [fallen angel] cheap shot yet?

Smitty Fri, May 28, 2004 8:06:16am

#5 Ed,

That's the funniest damn thing I've ever heard. A dead reference???

#33 Sarah D.

I don't know, the Flames have the edge in goal I think...

Hmmm Fri, May 28, 2004 8:10:28am

what kind of militant islamist does he think he is! the whole point of simple islam is to put the fear of god into the believers soul so he shall do as gods appointed one on earth - the caliph! shall tell him to do!

how embarassing for the fundamentalists, they see nothing worse than an apostate from their order! he just gained himself a enemy. should be glad to go to the safety of prison!

lawhawk Fri, May 28, 2004 8:22:30am

#5 ed abu sedead refereree moran

A dead reference? In the geology field? Maybe he figures that you'd dig the idea.

/running as fast as he can

Axiom aka Iron Chef Patton Fri, May 28, 2004 8:23:38am

#38 Gargamel

The US government has already delivered a message to the British government that it will NOT seek the death penalty. The confusion arose from Ashcroft's statements that the crimes Mr. Hamza is charged with "include sentencing as severe as the death penalty".

The Brits are likely afraid of the Islamists having a giganto "wedding" to celebrate the "martyrdom" of Abu Hamza.

Gargamel Fri, May 28, 2004 8:28:31am

#43 Axiom aka Iron Chef Patton

Well hopefully he will be locked up in the same prison where John Gotti is. Thats almost as bad as the death penalty.

[Engineer] Fri, May 28, 2004 8:29:07am

#38 Gargamel

I remember reading a poll a couple years back that said that the majority of Brits would support bringing back the death penalty.

Sure the people are for the death penalty. Every poll I have seen supports that, but the LLL knows better than we do!

In Texas, if somebody breaks into my house at night and threatens me, armed or not, I can use whatever amount of force I decide is warrented and the police will help clean up the mess. That should be the rule everwhere.

Axiom aka Iron Chef Patton Fri, May 28, 2004 8:33:35am

In addition to the Brits on the death penalty, I believe they also were found to demand firearms permits return. That was part of a BBC show that asked the viewer what mattered to them most. They called, phoned and wrote in that they wanted their guns back - 70% of them said that.

Colt Fri, May 28, 2004 8:52:32am

#38 Gargamel

I'm just wondering why the Brits would care if he gets the death penalty?

Most Brits would like him to be killed in the UK. Unfortunately, our signing the European Human Rights convention prohibits us from extraditing/expelling/returning people to countries where they may face the death penalty and/or torture.

Spiny Norman Fri, May 28, 2004 9:06:05am

#32 twisterella

something nasty is posting pr0n links at the bottom of the aged threads--

We are not alone.

:^P

Or how about this: In cyberspace, no one can hear it squish.

m1911 Fri, May 28, 2004 9:07:30am

Does anyone find it odd that every English speaker who joins AQ seems to meet Osama, but US intel can't get close to him?

Spiny Norman Fri, May 28, 2004 9:09:06am

#46 Axiom aka Iron Chef Patton

a BBC show that asked the viewer what mattered to them most. They called, phoned and wrote in that they wanted their guns back - 70% of them said that.

Wow!

It's good to see the Nanny State has rendered our cousins across the pond completely numb.

Cam Fri, May 28, 2004 9:09:46am

#40 Smitty:

How 'bout "The Golden Road to Unlimited Devotion"?

Oh, wait, wrong kind of "Dead Reference"...

twisterella Fri, May 28, 2004 9:10:57am

#29 Ed Moran: I'm wid you, some South Park is just to yucky-gross-outre' (there's that XY humor again), but I wuvved the 'Ninja Weapons at the Flea Market" episode-- I'm getting the giggles right now just thinking about the 'japanese fighting song'!!! :)

Smitty Fri, May 28, 2004 9:12:15am

#51 Colt

Lol. You're too young to be a dead-head.

twisterella Fri, May 28, 2004 9:14:20am

Spiny Norman, LOL!
Or how about one of my personal faves--

Space is Dark, but it is not empty

Spaaaccce Ghhooossst!!

Cam Fri, May 28, 2004 9:16:08am

#53 Smitty:

Wait a second - exactly how do you know how old I am?...

(Looks behind himself in paranoid fear)

And why do you think Colt and I are one and the same?...

(Getting creepier)

;-)

Smitty Fri, May 28, 2004 9:17:37am

oops. My bad. Not paying attention. lol.

Cam Fri, May 28, 2004 9:20:07am

#56 Smitty:

Whew. I was staring to wonder if I was Colt.

And here I was just about to congratulate myself on my excellent blog.

Sigh

RIP Ford Fri, May 28, 2004 9:24:54am

#57 Cam

LMAO

NY Nana Fri, May 28, 2004 9:47:37am

#29 Ed Moran:Abu must hafa camel mustafa:

For you:

Join the climateprediction.net experiment!

Ringo the Gringo Fri, May 28, 2004 9:47:39am

"He went along with the plan partly, because he feared they would kill him"

...and partly because he thought blowing things up and killing Jews was a good idea.

Lock him up forever.

Gargamel Fri, May 28, 2004 10:05:22am

#47 Colt

our signing the European Human Rights convention prohibits us from extraditing/expelling/returning people to countries where they may face the death penalty and/or torture.

That totally sucks. If I remember correctly Jordan has been wanting to extradite Hamza. I guess they figured he might get tortured there?

The man is dangerous he should of at least been kept in detention for an indefinite period of time and then he probably would have left the UK voluntarily.

Gustavia in Texas Fri, May 28, 2004 10:22:15am

Roche described how converting to Islam in 1993 helped cure his drinking problems.

I feel sure they have AA chapters in Australia.

Gargamel Fri, May 28, 2004 10:40:25am

#61

If I remember correctly Jordan has been wanting to extradite Hamza. I guess they figured he might get tortured there?

I was mistaken it was Yemen that wanted to extradite him.

Crusade Now Fri, May 28, 2004 11:19:41am

Roche is the typical problem causing english immigrant we have to Australia, they created slums in my home town in Adelaide and caused all the union problemsnow the unions are a shadow of their former selves. Whenever you read of trouble with certainty its a pom or a kid of poms. Australia is controlled by immigrants. This guy is just an extreme version. Look at house prices in Sydney all caused by pommie immigrants and hong king chinese (another pommie created problem) I hope BIGEL NUKES THE UK. They don´t even let Australians live and work in the Uk and we fought for them...Never trust a pom.

Cam Fri, May 28, 2004 11:28:53am

#64 Crusade Now:

I thought Australia had one of the strictest immigration controls in the world. Don't you get in by lottery or something?

papijoe Fri, May 28, 2004 11:48:02am

#65 Cam

Don't you get in by lottery or something?

I thought you had to crush an empty can of Fosters against your forehead and know all the words to the Philosopher's Song

Cam Fri, May 28, 2004 11:51:24am

#66 papijoe:

LMAO!

I once dated an Auusie chick who was a waitress at Dusty's Bar in Whistler. She had a table of loudmouth drunks who ran up like a $1000.00 bill. When they left, her tip was a stack of about 500 pennies. She wrapped them up in a rag, tied it off, ran out to parking lot and yelled "Next time you raid your piggie bank, drink somewhere else, you wankers!" threw the rag/bag, and nailed one of them right in the back. Dropped him like a rock.

The whole bar gave her a standing O.

;-)

papijoe Fri, May 28, 2004 11:54:20am

#67 Cam

Sounds like one fine sheila, mate!

;-)

Cam Fri, May 28, 2004 12:03:42pm

#68 papijoe:

"Sheila" LOL - I was trying to remember that word.

papijoe Fri, May 28, 2004 12:09:09pm

Time to go home and fire up the barbie!

Have a great weekend everyone!

supertzar Fri, May 28, 2004 2:16:44pm

What is with the yanks??

I have been supporting this iraq thing since the beginning and as soon as they find some chemical weapons all we gt from the authorities is "oh its old and not considered to be WMD's"!!!

I feel betrayed

perhaps a better course of action is just present the facts and not the conclusions

Flying Fox Fri, May 28, 2004 3:00:19pm

#64 Crusade Now

FOAD.

I am a 'Pommie immigrant' who grew up in Adelaide, and I can say with certainty that you're way outta line here. (What 'slums'?)

Your remarks about Sydney housing prices and Australians living and working in the UK are, well, sheer fantasy.

Are you Aboriginal or a Torres Strait Islander? If not, bite your tongue. You're of immigrant stock yourself.

Walter Plinge Sat, May 29, 2004 3:26:49pm

Charles said "..suddenly changed his plea from innocent to guilty:.."

Actually, he didn't. He changed his plea from 'not guilty' to 'guilty' There is no plea of 'innocent' in Australia or the UK.

Crusade NOW Mon, May 31, 2004 8:55:45pm

Flying Fox - I grew up in Port Noarlunga before all you poms moved in and turned it into a slum...now look at it. Down sarf crew...I bet they are all poms...
Elizabeth? they should just fence it all off.
I am descended from Scottish and Cornish people that you poms kicked out as well as german etc that were kicked out. You can FOAD...I don´t live in that boring shithole any more. I don´t even live in Australia now...I tried to IMMIGRATE INTO the UK, I lived there for 3 years, I lived in Sydney...I know what I am talking about. Thanks for the 2 year visa holiday maker visa in the UK which I got around by some dodgy rich people law...that´s how you treat your indigenous people...remember I said I was Cornish descended...I remember as an Australian doing the hack work in banks, then I come back to Sydney and they say ...we have all these great english candidates..well no fuckin wonder...when they can work in England hassle free...You poms have always shafted us and always will. Look at all the people there with EU passports... too bad maybe not enough of us died for you in the war. Also poms non-citizens cabn vote in our elections if they were on the electoral role before 1978...what a joke as I said Roche is an extreme version...