Word: lindh
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Things have taken a distinctly downward turn for John Walker Lindh...
...Wednesday, a federal judge ordered the "American Taliban" held without bond, citing Lindh's extreme flight risk. Despite pleas from his parents to release their son, the 20-year-old will remain in federal custody until his trial later this year. "It may be argued by the defense that the defendant is a loyal American," Judge Curtis Sewell said, "but the evidence before the court belies that assumption...
...That ruling was just the latest in a string of damaging blows to Lindh's case, rounding out several days of setbacks. Tuesday, a federal grand jury indicted the native Californian on ten counts, including conspiring to kill U.S. nationals and using and carrying firearms during crimes of violence...
Even so, Brosnahan may have a worse hand. Lindh signed a formal waiver of his right to an attorney, according to Attorney General John Ashcroft, and also verbally waived that right. "That Miranda [waiver] is likely to be very hard for [Lindh] to overcome," says Robert Weisberg, a Stanford law professor. Also, before he spoke with the FBI, Lindh voluntarily told CNN much the same story. Finally, the legal standard required to prove conspiracy "is kind of broad and vague," says Weisberg, and thus gives the edge to the prosecution. Top officials at the Justice Department are betting the matter...
...though, Lindh has bathed and visited a barber. If he is planning to take the stand, he may also want to drop the faux-Middle East accent. "Oh, boy, I wouldn't let him testify with that," says Richard Uviller, a Columbia law professor. And "it may be that he's still militant, in which case he's not going to help himself...