Ex-sailor seeks new trial in terrorism case

[unhappycamper]

Ex-sailor seeks new trial in terrorism case
By John Christoffersen - The Associated Press
Posted : Tuesday Jan 6, 2009 21:23:19 EST

NEW HAVEN, Conn. — A federal judge is deciding whether to grant a new trial to a former Navy sailor convicted of leaking details about ship movements to suspected terrorist supporters.

U.S. District Court Judge Mark Kravitz questioned both sides Tuesday about the level of evidence that led a jury last March to convict Hassan Abu-Jihaad of providing material support to terrorists and disclosing classified national defense information. Kravitz said he was not sure when he would issue his ruling on the defense request for a new trial.

Kravitz said he did not want to interfere with the role of the jury, but has to make sure there was sufficient evidence against Abu-Jihaad.

Abu-Jihaad, who was a signalman aboard the destroyer Benfold, was accused of passing along information that included the makeup of his Navy battle group, its planned movements and a drawing of the formation the group would use to pass through the dangerous Strait of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf on April 29, 2001.

He allegedly told his contacts, “They have nothing to stop a small craft with RPG (rocket-propelled grenade) etc., except their SEALS’ stinger missiles.”


Rest of article at: http://www.navytimes.com/news/2009/01/ap_sailor_terror_010608/%2e