Judge sentences Al-Arian to limit

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Judge sentences Al-Arian to limit
He calls the former USF professor a "master manipulator" responsible for deaths. Al-Arian will spend about 18 months in jail before he's deported.
By MEG LAUGHLIN
Published May 2, 2006

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TAMPA - U.S. District Judge James Moody imposed the maximum sentence on Sami Al-Arian Monday, calling the former university professor a "master manipulator'' who led a double life in the top ranks of Palestinian Islamic Jihad.
Moody shocked the courtroom when he ignored the recommendation of prosecutors and defense attorneys for a lower sentence. He gave Al-Arian as much prison time as possible under a plea deal - 57 months, followed by deportation.

With credit for time served while awaiting trial, Al-Arian will spend about 18 months behind bars, unless he receives time off for good behavior.

Moody seemed to accept one aspect of the government's case that the jury rejected: that Al-Arian's role in Palestinian Islamic Jihad left him with blood on his hands.

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http://www.sptimes.com/2006/05/02/Tampabay/Judge_sentences_Al_Ar.shtml

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1. Transcript of Judge Moody's statement

Transcript of Judge Moody's statement
The following is a transcript of U.S. Judge Moody's statement to Sami Al-Arian from Monday's sentencing:
By Times Staff
Published May 1, 2006

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Judge Moody: Dr. Al-Arian, as usual, you speak very eloquently. I find it interesting that here in public in front of everyone you praised this country, the same country that in private you referred to as “the great Satan.’’ ...You are a master manipulator.
You looked your neighbors in the eyes and said you had nothing to do with the Palestinian Islamic Jihad. This trial exposed that as a lie.... The evidence was clear in this case that you were a leader of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad...

When Iran, the major funding source of the PIJ, became upset because the PIJ could not account for how it was spending its money, it was to your board of directors that it went to demand changes. Iran wanted its representative to have a say in how its money was spent. To stop that, you leaped into action. You offered to rewrite the bylaws of the organization...

But when it came to blowing up women and children on buses, did you leap into action then? ... No. You lifted not one finger, made not one phone call. To the contrary, you laughed when you heard about the bombings, what you euphemistically call “operations.” ...

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http://www.sptimes.com/2006/05/01/State/Transcript_of_Judge_M.shtml

[Scurrilous]

2. Related thread:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=2258557