ATLANTA — A man convicted on terrorism charges earlier this year will represent himself at his sentencing.
U.S. District Court Judge William S. Duffey granted former Georgia Tech student Syed Haris Ahmed on Thursday permission to represent himself at his sentencing set for Dec. 20. Ahmed was found guilty in June of conspiring to support terrorist groups while Sadequee was convicted of sending videotapes of U.S. landmarks overseas and plotting to support “jihad.”
Duffey tried to convince Ahmed that representing himself would be “perilous” to the outcome of his sentencing. Ahmed could receive up to 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
“You are much better served with a trained lawyer,” Duffey said. “In the strongest of terms, I urge you not to try to represent yourself.”
But Ahmed said he is best able to present his own position. He said he wants to put his mother on the stand and feels he could do a better job of questioning her than his court-appointed attorney, Jack Martin.
Duffey ordered Martin to attend the December hearing as a standby. Martin told reporters after Thursday’s hearing that Ahmed came to the decision after praying about it.
“I think it’s a mistake,” Martin said.
Ahmed and Ehsanul Islam Sadequee (Sah-DEE-kee) were originally scheduled to be sentenced on Thursday. Sadequee’s sentencing was postponed to give the court time to consider his request for a new trial.
I read short overview at wikipedia. I do apologize to him but my vision is pure and I read a lot of cases each day. To me, personal, all people are equal worth. He was born 1984. Ahmad came as a child to USA. His father works at University. The case is masterpiece in plot structure and even Agatha Christie would be ashamed of such novel. Ahmad belives it is enough he did not do anything. Besides, he feels bad in front of family and taking lawyer would be in eyes of them Ahmed´s confirmation he did something wrong. I am not a family counsellor I just tell out of my field how it works. They need help of professional to deal with all lies and he needs a lawyer.
Terror charges are based on virtue making good, steady plots which can emerge in dtyle of soap opera like Dallas, Dynasty. Happy end is meant for all involved on ‘good guys side’.They should get their rewards, experience erotic tension for such hunt is not just exclusive for money.It connects people.They get a reason to communicate, search each other, take unified positions. Loves and good sex occurs, marriages, partnerships. On the other side’bad guys’ must finish behind bars, voiceless, alone. One never goes back tocases to see how bad boys are doing or how good spend earned. Each case is closed for media as soon trial is over.Thus, there are strong bands among ‘good guys’ for they go on and it is basiclly small group of people. I deeply doubt Ahmad can do anything. I hope his father read this and get my points.
Observer: I agree with you that he needs an attorney. I’m not sure if his issue is trust, or what it is exactly. It also seems as if this is some sort of protest, but I fear that it’s not going to work in his favor. Especially not in a case like this. I hope he reconsiders, or at least I hope he has an attorney standing by and guidiing him as best he can.