Atlanta terror suspect waives right to jury trial

A former Georgia Tech student on Tuesday waived his right to a jury trial, agreeing to let a judge decide if he conspired to provide support to terrorists.

Syed Haris Ahmed said he made the decision largely because he wants to give a public statement at the close of his trial, which begins June 1.

“I consider the opportunity to give the statement more important than anything to me right now,” Ahmed told U.S. District Judge Bill Duffey. Ahmed did not disclose what he plans to say.

Ahmed also told Duffey that, considering the high-profile nature of the case, he believed the judge would be “more impartial than normal people.”

During a pre-trial hearing, Duffey carefully questioned Ahmed about his decision to relinquish his right to let 12 jurors decide the case. Ahmed said he understood what he was doing.

The judge granted the request. Duffey, a former U.S. attorney in Atlanta, was put on the federal bench by President George W. Bush in 2004.

Ahmed is charged with Ehsanul Islam Sadequee, of Roswell, of trying to join Lashkar-e-Taiba, the Pakistani-based terrorist group. They also are accused of taking videos for “potential terrorist attacks” during a 2005 trip to Washington. Sadequee is to be tried separately in August. Both men have pleaded not guilty.

Ahmed previously asked for permission to represent himself at trial so he could give a statement to jurors during closing arguments. In a recent order, Duffey denied that request, saying he believed Ahmed could confuse jurors, introduce impermissible evidence and prejudice his own defense.

On Tuesday, upon granting Ahmed’s request for a bench trial, Duffey said he would allow Ahmed to give his statement. But the judge said he would only consider it if it relates to the evidence and is appropriate.

“For me, to deliver it in public is all I care about,” Ahmed told the judge. “I have no problem if you don’t consider it.”