vIndianz.com (19 Mar, 2010) — David Coleman Headley, accused for plotting the 26/11 Mumbai attacks at the behest of LeT and also conspiring to attack a Danish newspaper, has pleaded guilty to all terror charges before a US court.
The 49-year-old Pak-American terrorist could have been sentenced to death if convicted, however, got his plea agreement with federal prosecutors and a death penalty and extradition to India, Pakistan and Denmark were ruled out. The ruling deemed that these were dependent on the fact that he should cooperate with the US government’s terrorism investigations.
Headley faces six counts of conspiracy involving bombing public places in India, murdering and maiming persons in India and providing material support to foreign terrorist plots and LeT. Further, he also faces six counts of aiding and abetting the murder of US citizens in India. His lawyer John Theis said after the hearing that Headley will cooperate in foreign investigation conducted in the US.
In what may be seen as an attempt to get a lighter sentence than the maximum death penalty, Headley had told US District Judge Harry Leinenweber that he wanted to change his plea to guilty. He admitted guilty in all 12 counts during the hearing that extended up to 30 minutes.
During the hearing, Headley also said that he had used friend Tahawwur Rana’s immigration company as a cover for surveillance activities in India and Denmark. These were done on behalf of Pakistan-based terrorist groups, including the Lashkar-e-Toiba. He said that he was part of the planning of the November 2008 terrorist attacks in Mumbai.
Further Reading- Chicago Jury begins deliberations on fate of Rana – IBNLive.com
- Headley may write book about role in Mumbai attacks – Economic Times
- Headley worked with FBI for capture of Mumbai mastermind – Economic Times
- Headley may write book about role in Mumbai attacks – Economic Times
- Headley’s visa documents go missing in Chicago
- Not guilty plea entered for Albert Haynesworth – USA Today
- Kasab blatantly denies participating in Mumbai terror attacks
- Headley was ready to double cross terror friends – Daily Pioneer
- Ex-Madoff Employee Lipkin Pleads Guilty in Ponzi Scheme, Vows Cooperation – Bloomberg
- Cassidy expected to enter written plea for DUI – MiamiHerald.com
Stay updated! Follow us on twitter and subscribe to our feed via Feedburner.
No Comments