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Jury Selection Set To Begin For Accused Detroit Bomber
Official jury selection begins this week in the trial of a man accused of attempting to blow-up an airplane bound for Detroit two years ago on Christmas Day.
Federal officials allege that Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab tried to set off explosives hidden in his underwear during a flight to Detroit in 2009.
The high-profile case led to the government stationing full-body security scanners in airports.
Court officials have been going through hundreds of juror questionnaires, excusing some people who have health issues, negative views about Muslims or say they’ve already made their mind up about the case.
Abdulmutallab, who is defending himself in conjunction with a court-appointed advisor, has suffered some legal setbacks in recent days.
The judge in the case will allow the jury to see videos showing how powerful of an explosion the device prosecutors say Abdulmutallab had could have produced.
Jurors can also view a so-called martyrdom video Abdulmutallab allegedly made before the attack.
And the government can use statements he made without being read his Miranda rights, after the judge said it was allowable under a national security exception.
