Siddiqui Sentenced To 86 Years On Attempted Murder Charges

Aafia Siddiqui, who was convicted in February 2010 of trying to kill U.S. agents and military officers after Afghan police detained her in 2008 has been sentenced to 86 years in prison. She had originally been captured on terror-related charges, but the conviction came on attempting to murder her prison guards.

During Siddiqui’s three-week trial, FBI agents and U.S. soldiers testified that when they went to interrogate Siddiqui, she snatched an unattended assault rifle and shot at them while yelling, “Death to Americans!” She was wounded by return fire but recovered and was brought to the United States to face trial.

Her conviction touched off protests in Pakistan. On Thursday, there were more protests as hundreds chanted “Free Aafia!” at a rally in Karachi, Pakistan, while others demonstrated outside the Manhattan courthouse.

Though she was not convicted of terrorism, the government has argued that Siddiqui is a cold-blooded radical who deserves a “terrorism enhancement” under federal sentencing guidelines that would guarantee a life term.

Siddiqui repeatedly disrupted her trial with numerous outbursts, requiring her to be booted from the courtroom on several occasions, including twice in one day.

Don't expect this to go unremarked that this is part of a Zionist plot to get her. After all, she claimed that the Israelis were behind her conviction back in February. Figure on her supporters in Pakistan and elsewhere to run with that meme.

She had been seen as an al Qaeda facilitator prior to her arrest and capture. However, she was not charged on terror-related crimes but instead on the attempted murder charges because of the difficulty in securing a conviction.

Aafia Siddiqui Found Guilty of Attempted Murder

Even with all her antics, Aafia Siddiqui was found guilty by a jury after a 3-week trial.

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 attempted murder, though the crime was not found by the jury to be premeditated. She was also convicted of armed assault, using and carrying a firearm, and assault of U.S. officers and employees.

Before her arrest, U.S. authorities had called Siddiqui an al-Qaida sympathizer. She was never charged with terrorism, but prosecutors called her a grave threat who was carrying bomb-making instructions and a list of New York City landmarks including the Statue of Liberty when she was captured.

It wouldn't be complete, however, without her engaging in yet another outburst claiming that the verdict was phoned in from Israel.

It was likely much easier to prove the attempted murder charge rather than risk outing any national security secrets or classified information related to her involvement with al Qaeda.

Trials and Tribulations In Trying Terrorists In Court

Trials and tribulations in trying terrorists, vol. xxxix. The federal government is trying Aafia Siddiqui in federal court and keeps running into problems.

The trial, which is in its second week, is taking place under heavy security in United States District Court, with a metal detector and guards at the courtroom door. Still, there have been breaches. On Monday, Judge Richard M. Berman noted some of them in explaining his ruling against a defense motion for greater public access to the court.

So far, three people have sneaked recording devices into the courtroom, said Judge Berman, adding that one audience member had even passed a cellphone, which is also banned, to a member of the defense team.

“The court finds that the additional security measures are necessary,” the judge announced.

That's not counting the outbursts by the defendant, Aafia Siddiqui, who has been tossed from the courtroom twice Monday alone.

This is a preview for the circus that would take place if Khalid Sheikh Mohammad and his fellow terrorists are tried in the same courthouse in Lower Manhattan.