Fears
that jury may be killed in Kosovo Albanian terror plot on Fort Dix
(AP) -- Federal prosecutors have asked that an anonymous jury be impaneled
for the trial of six men accused of plotting to attack soldiers on Fort
Dix.
In a motion filed Monday, the U.S. attorney's office said potential
jurors might fear for their safety because of the nature of the charges
and the international publicity around the case.
The request could be discussed at a meeting Friday before U.S. District
Judge Robert Kugler.
Attorney Rocco Cipparone, who represents Mohamad Shnewer, told the Courier-Post
of Cherry Hill for Tuesday's editions that he opposes an anonymous jury,
fearing it would only fuel the perception that the defendants are dangerous.
All have pleaded not guilty. The other defendants are brothers Dritan,
Eljvir and Shain Duka; Serdar Tatar; and Agron Abdullahu. Shnewer, the
Dukas and Tatar are charged with conspiring to kill American military personnel;
Abdullahu is charged with providing firearms to illegal immigrants.
All six have been held without bail in a Philadelphia jail since their
arrest in May.
Prosecutors also asked Kugler in a separate request to designate the
prosecution a "complex case" and waive the rule that the trial begin within
70 days of the June 5 indictments. Kugler has said it was unlikely the
trial could start within the 70-day time frame but asked attorneys to be
ready by October.
Associated Press 07.12.07, 12:55 AM ET