NY judge has woman linked to al-Qaida removed after latest rant in attempted murder trial
By APThursday, January 14, 2010
NY judge boots woman linked to al-Qaida
NEW YORK — A Pakistani scientist prone to courtroom rants was at it again on the second day of jury selection at her attempted murder trial in New York.
A Manhattan judge had Aafia Siddiqui(ah-FEE’-uh sih-DEE’-kee) removed on Thursday after she interrupted questioning of potential jurors about the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
She told them she “had nothing to do with 9/11.” She suggested Israel was behind the attacks but insisted she’s not an anti-Semite.
Authorities have linked the 37-year-old Siddiqui to al-Qaida. She’s not facing terrorism charges.
She’s accused of grabbing a U.S. Army officer’s rifle during an interrogation following her capture in Afghanistan in July 2008 and exchanging gunfire with U.S. soldiers and FBI agents.
Opening statements are set for Tuesday.
