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Judge Declares Mistrial in Sears Tower Plot Case

Jury acquits 1, splits on 6 others accused of pursuing al Qaeda ties

By Zach Samalin,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 13, 2007 5:12 PM CST

(Newser) – A jury acquitted one suspect today and was deadlocked over the six others in the "Liberty City Seven" case, in which prosecutors had accused the Miami men of swearing allegiance to al Qaeda and plotting to blow up the Sears Tower in Chicago. The case was a centerpiece in the Bush Administration's campaign against homegrown terrorism, the Associated Press reports.

"We believe no further progress can be made," the jury's note read. Prosecutors had taped evidence of the men declaring their allegiance to al Qaeda and discussing plans for an attack "as good or greater than 9/11." But the defense claimed the affair was "written, directed and produced by the FBI," whose undercover informant concocted the entire plan.

Albert Levin, foreground, defense attorney for Patrick Abraham, and Roderick Vereen, left, defense attorney for  Stanley Phanor arrive at the federal courthouse Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2007, in Miami.  Jury selection began Tuesday in the trial of seven Florida men accused of plotting to destroy Chicago's Sears Tower and bomb FBI...
Albert Levin, foreground, defense attorney for Patrick Abraham, and Roderick Vereen, left, defense attorney for Stanley Phanor arrive at the federal courthouse Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2007, in Miami. Jury...   (Associated Press)
Joel DeFabio, left, defense attorney for Lyglenson Lemorin, arrives at the federal courthouse Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2007. Jury selection began Tuesday in the trial of seven Florida men accused of plotting to destroy Chicago's Sears Tower and bomb FBI offices around the United States to incite a broad anti-government insurrection....
Joel DeFabio, left, defense attorney for Lyglenson Lemorin, arrives at the federal courthouse Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2007. Jury selection began Tuesday in the trial of seven Florida men accused of plotting...   (Associated Press)
Ana M. Jhones, top, defense attorney for Narseal Batiste arrives at the federal courthouse Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2007, in Miami. Jury selection began Tuesday in the trial of seven Florida men accused of plotting to destroy Chicago's Sears Tower and bomb FBI offices around the United States to incite a...
Ana M. Jhones, top, defense attorney for Narseal Batiste arrives at the federal courthouse Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2007, in Miami. Jury selection began Tuesday in the trial of seven Florida men accused of...   (Associated Press)
Six of the seven co-defendants that were arrested in June, 2006 in an undercover FBI sting, appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ted Bandstra, in this courtroom drawing, during a bond hearing Friday, June 30, 2006 in Miami. From center rear, left to right, Patrick Abraham, Lyglenson Lemorin, Naudimar Herrera,...
Six of the seven co-defendants that were arrested in June, 2006 in an undercover FBI sting, appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ted Bandstra, in this courtroom drawing, during a bond hearing Friday, June...   (Associated Press)
In this courtroom artist drawing, U.S. Attorney Jacqueline Arango, center, makes her closing arguments before Judge Joan Lenard during the so-called  Liberty City Seven trial in Miami in this Thursday, Nov. 29, 2007 file image. Arango said Narseal Batiste, center, seated in brown jacket, was the commander of a...
In this courtroom artist drawing, U.S. Attorney Jacqueline Arango, center, makes her closing arguments before Judge Joan Lenard during the so-called "Liberty City Seven" trial in Miami in this Thursday,...   (Associated Press)
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