Jurors go back to work on deliberations in terror trial of Arizona man
Mar 15, 2016, 7:44 AM | Updated: 9:03 am
Abdul Malik Abdul Kareem (MCSO Photo)
(MCSO Photo)
PHOENIX — Jurors will return to a federal court in Phoenix on Tuesday to resume deliberations at the terror trial of an Arizona man charged with plotting an attack in Texas.
Abdul Malik Abdul Kareem, 44, accused of conspiracy, was one of three friends federal authorities said planned the Prophet Muhammad cartoon shooting May 3 near Dallas, Texas.
The other two friends, Elton Simpson and Nadir Soofi, who also lived in the Phoenix area, were killed in a shootout with Texas police.
The Justice Department has said this was the first time that anyone in the U.S. charged with providing support to ISIS had been before a jury.
Investigators said Kareem provided the guns used in the attack and went target shooting with the other two.
Kareem also is charged with providing support to the Islamic State terrorist group.
Federal prosecutors described the Phoenix man as the motivator, financier and trainer of the trio.
Kareem has denied the charges.
Jurors heard closing arguments Friday and met privately for about 20 minutes before going home for the weekend.
During the trial, the jurors heard testimony from an informant who had been Kareem’s roommate. He told the jury he overheard the men planning the attack.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
