Scientist convicted of trying to kill Americans

Posted on 04. Feb, 2010 by Rob Belatucadros in Foreign and Domestic Intelligence, Israel & Jewish Issues, Rob Belatucadros, Top Stories

“This is a verdict coming from Israel, not America.” Well one would  have to wonder if she is right.

NEW YORK – A U.S.-trained Pakistani scientist was convicted Wednesday of charges that she tried to kill Americans while detained in Afghanistan in 2008, shouting with raised arm as jurors left the courtroom: “This is a verdict coming from Israel, not America.”

A jury deliberated three days in federal court in Manhattan before finding Aafia Siddiqui guilty in the third week of her attempted murder trial, which she often interrupted with rambling courtroom outbursts.

After declaring the verdict came from Israel, she turned toward spectators in the packed courtroom and said: “Your anger should be directed where it belongs. I can testify to this and I have proof.”

Siddiqui, 37, was convicted of two counts of attempted murder, though the jury found the crime wasn’t premeditated. She was also convicted of armed assault, using and carrying a firearm, and assault of U.S. officers and employees.

Advised afterward by U.S. District Judge Richard Berman to work on post-verdict issues with a defense team paid for in part by the Pakistani government, Siddiqui responded, “These are not my attorneys.”

Outside court, defense attorney Charles Swift told reporters that it was unclear whether there would be an appeal. The finding on premeditation should help Siddiqui at sentencing, he said. Source>>>