Week in review

By Times Staff
Published October 31, 2005

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THE LATEST: Last week ended with the surprise announcement by Sami Al-Arian's lawyers that they would not offer a defense on behalf of Al-Arian because all of his words and actions were protected by the U.S. Constitution. The federal judge agreed to include a jury instruction about protected speech and conduct.

WHAT'S NEXT: Today, Hammoudeh's attorney, Stephen Bernstein is expected to question his client's defense witnesses. Then, Hatem Fariz's defense attorneys will mount their case.

"It will be our job to humanize the defendants for the jury," said Kevin Beck, one of Fariz's three attorneys.