No Competency Hearing For Accused Underwear Bomber
DETROIT (AP) - A federal judge in Detroit says a competency hearing isn't necessary for a Nigerian man accused of trying to blow up a Detroit-bound jetliner.
U.S. District Judge Nancy Edmunds said in court Wednesday she believes Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab is competent to move forward as an Oct. 4 trial date approaches.
Abdulmutallab dismissed his court-appointed lawyers last year and said he wanted to represent himself.
Edmunds on Wednesday denied a request by Abdulmutallab's standby counsel, Anthony Chambers, to consider the defendant's competency.
The 24-year-old Abdulmutallab is charged with trying to ignite an explosive in his underwear as Northwest Airlines Flight 253 approached Detroit Metro Airport on Christmas Day 2009. Nearly 300 people were on board.
Abdulmutallab said he had originally planned to launch the strike in the skies above Houston or Chicago, but instead chose Detroit because the plane ticket was cheaper.
Abdulmutallab faces life in prison if convicted. He is being held at a federal prison in Milan, Michigan.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
