US ‘dirty bomber’ is a trial for CIA

[cal04]

IT WAS a terrorist trial that seemed to have everything - including a CIA agent testifying in disguise and a mysterious reference to a female donkey. But the long-awaited court appearance of Jose Padilla, a US citizen once known as America’s “dirty bomber”, has turned out to be missing a crucial ingredient - evidence that he actually did anything wrong.

More than two months after federal prosecutors first stood up in a Miami courtroom and depicted Padilla as a would-be jihadist (holy warrior) who with two codefendants was conspiring to “murder, kidnap and maim”, the case has become a potential embarrassment to US security officials.

After weeks of testimony about alleged Al-Qaeda plots, travels to the Middle East and the defendants’ use of secret code words such as “going on a picnic”, the prosecution rested its case with only one piece of physical evidence allegedly linking Padilla to Al-Qaeda – a half filled-out training camp application form that was said to bear his fingerprints.

(snip)
Anthony Natale, Padilla’s lead lawyer, has hinted that the document might have been handed to his client during his interrogation, just so the CIA could get his fingerprints on it.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article2159270.ece

[struggle4progress]

1. Padilla's lawyers mount quiet defense

Curt Anderson | the Associated Press
July 28, 2007

~snip~ There has been virtual silence from the Padilla corner, and it remains to be seen whether Padilla's lawyers will call witnesses or ask any questions. Defendants accused of crimes are not legally required to testify or put on any kind of case, with the burden to prove the crimes squarely on the prosecution.

Michael Caruso, one of three federal public defenders representing Padilla, said at the close of the prosecution case that his client deserved acquittal because of lack of evidence. The three defendants are charged with conspiring to murder, kidnap and maim people overseas as part of a North American cell supporting al-Qaeda.

"There is simply not enough evidence for any reasonable juror to conclude that Mr. Padilla was a willing participant," Caruso said. ~snip~

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/state/orl-padilla2807jul28,0,1591456.story