Four men accused of trying to bomb synagogues and shoot down planes in New York last spring did little more than go along with a fake plot proposed, directed and funded by the federal government, defense lawyers claim in asking the court to dismiss the case.
A federal informant chose the targets, offered payment, provided maps and bought the only real weapon involved, a handgun, the attorneys said in a dismissal motion filed this week in federal court. They alleged the defendants were not inclined toward any crime until the informant began recruiting them.
"The government well knew that their case had been a government-inspired creation from day one and that the defendants had not been independently seeking weapons or targets," the motion said.
Federal court spokesman Herb Hadad said the government would file its response next month.
Nine people were injured by gunfire early Sunday at a large rental home where teenagers had...
In a nearly unanimous vote, hundreds of victims of child sexual abuse by clergy and other...
A group of potentially diseased lab monkeys escaped after a vehicle crash on a main interstate...
