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| A Manhattan jury was expected to begin deliberations in the trial of a man who allegedly attempted to detonate a suicide bomb at the Port Authority Bus Terminal. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI |
By Tauren Dyson, UPI
A man accused of attempting to carry out a suicide bombing in a Port Authority passageway awaits the decision of a Manhattan jury Monday after prosecutors said he botched a plan inspired by the Islamic State.
Assistant U.S. Attorney George Turner said Akayed Ullah intended to "inflict maximum damage" when he entered the bus terminal and detonated an explosive device, which burned five bystanders. He said the Islamic State, also identified as Daesh, ISIS and IS, ordered the attack, the New York Daily News reported.
If convicted, Ullah, 28, could spend life in prison for the attack on Dec. 11.
Turner laid out evidence against Ullah to the jury before the panel started deliberations.
"'Oh, America, die in your rage.' That's what the defendant wrote before he did it. Before he detonated a bomb in the heart of New York City," Turner said in closing remarks. "He was proud to attack this city in the name of ISIS. And now he must be held responsible. That will be justice."
Turner said Ullah also posted a comment on social media that read "Oh, [President Donald] Trump, you fail to protect your nation."
Ullah's attorney, however, said her client was not a member of IS and should not be guilty of giving material to a terrorist organization.
"This is not a suicide bombing. This is not a terrorist attack. This act is not about ISIS," Amy Gallicchio, Ullah's attorney, said.
She asked the jury to deliver a guilty verdict on only one count of destruction of property, which could give Ullah a 20-year prison sentence.
Ullah was hurt during the attempt, but no one died during the explosion.
"He wanted to make a statement -- a public statement, by taking his own life," Gallicchio said.
After receiving instructions from the judge, the jury should begin deliberations Monday afternoon.
The failed bombing marked the first attempted suicide terrorist attack in New York City since Sept. 11, 2001, The New York Times reported.
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