"American Taliban makes his 1st court appearance" written by Michael Kilian recounts John Walker Lindh's court appearance where his attorneys complained that he had been denied the right to a lawyer, and that U.S. officials had prejudiced the case against him by making open assertions of his guilt, in addition, the article discusses Lindh's background. .
Lindh was informed of the charges against him in U.S. District Court, which comprise of one count of conspiracy to kill Americans, two counts of aiding known terrorists and one count of making illegal transactions with the Taliban. The possible penalties are life imprisonment and a one million dollar fine. Lindh answered affirmatively to understanding the charges and penalties against him when asked by U.S. Magistrate Judge Weldon Sewell. At the hearing, defense attorney James Brosnahan discussed the allegation that his client was denied a lawyer for 54 days, but has yet to make a formal argument.
Lindh's parents were at the hearing to inform their son of his charges and to identify him to the court. Another hearing will be held on February 6, to decide whether Lindh will continue to be held without bail. He has not yet entered a plea in his case.
Lindh's parents, who had not seen their son in two years, assert his innocence and his love for America. Lindh is from Marin County, CA. He was raised Catholic, converted to Islam at age 16, after graduating from high school he went to Yemen to pursue Islamic studies, and then traveled to Pakistan and joined the Taliban movement.
According to an affidavit accompanying the charges, after joining the Taliban, Lindh moved to Afghanistan, trained in an Al Qaida camp and met with Osama bin Laden.
He was captured in the offensive that, in the end, drove the Taliban from power, and was captured at a prison uprising near Mazar-e-Sharif. After being captured, Lindh was first held at Marine Camp Rhino, then transferred to the USS Bataan, and is now in a federal detention center in Alexandria, VA.
