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Bomb suspect to enter a plea
Ahmed Mohamed was scheduled to be arraigned today.
By KEVIN GRAHAM, Times Staff Writer
Published October 17, 2007
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Ahmed Mohamed plans to waive an arraignment and enter a written not guilty plea.
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TAMPA - The lawyer expected to represent Ahmed Mohamed on federal explosives charges said in court papers filed Tuesday that Mohamed plans to waive an arraignment and enter a written not guilty plea.
John Fitzgibbons, who is finalizing arrangements with Egyptian Embassy officials to become Mohamed's attorney, got a judge to reschedule an arraignment scheduled for today. It's the second time Fitzgibbons has asked to postpone the hearing while he worked out details of his employment.
Authorities in Cairo have given their approval for the Egyptian Embassy to hire Fitzgibbons, he said in a court papers. He anticipates filing a notice of appearance, which puts him on record with the court as Mohamed's attorney, within the next week.
Mohamed, 26, was scheduled to plead not guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Pizzo to an indictment that charges him with illegally transporting explosive materials and teaching how to make explosive devices. If the written not guilty plea doesn't go forward, Pizzo has rescheduled an arraignment for Oct. 25.
Mohamed and Youssef Megahed, 21, both now suspended from attending the University of South Florida, were arrested near a South Carolina naval base Aug. 4. A sheriff's deputy stopped them for speeding, searched their car when he became suspicious and arrested them when he found what experts say were materials for low-grade explosives in their trunk.
Megahed, who is represented by the federal public defender office, pleaded not guilty on Oct. 3 to one count of illegally transporting explosives materials. He is awaiting a decision by U.S. District Judge Steven D. Merryday on letting him out of jail on bail.
Kevin Graham can be reached at kgraham@sptimes.com or 813 226-3433.
[Last modified October 16, 2007, 23:21:00]
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