NYC jury to be picked for alleged al-Qaida backer charged with attempted murder

Woman accused of al-Qaida ties set for NYC trial

NEW YORK — A U.S.-trained scientist accused of shooting at FBI agents in Afghanistan is greeting potential jurors at her attempted murder trial in New York with a white scarf covering her face and an impromptu commentary on the proceedings.

Jury selection for the case against Aafia Siddiqui (ah-FEE’-uh sih-DEE’-kee) began Wednesday morning in federal court.

Siddiqui, a native of Pakistan, told jurors she is boycotting the trial. She says there are “too many injustices.” She’s had other outbursts at previous court hearings.

Prosecutors accuse the 37-year-old Siddiqui of grabbing a U.S. Army officer’s rifle in 2008 and exchanging fire with U.S. soldiers and FBI agents. She was shot in the abdomen and denies she fired the weapon.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

NEW YORK (AP) — A U.S.-trained scientist accused of shooting at FBI agents in Afghanistan and being an al-Qaida sympathizer is set to go on trial in New York.

Jury selection for the case against Aafia Siddiqui (ah-FEE’-uh sih-DEE’-kee) is to begin Wednesday morning in federal court. Opening statements are scheduled for next week.

Prosecutors accuse the 37-year-old Siddiqui of grabbing a U.S. Army officer’s rifle in 2008 and exchanging fire with U.S. soldiers and FBI agents. She was shot in the abdomen and denies she fired the weapon.

She says she won’t participate in the trial. A judge has said she’ll be brought to the courthouse every day and given a choice whether to attend.

Her previous court appearance have included outbursts in which she has said she doesn’t hate America.