Naser Abdo (FILE Photo)WACO, Texas (AP) - An AWOL soldier convicted of planning to blow up a restaurant full of Fort Hood soldiers will represent himself when he's sentenced next month.
Army Pfc. Naser Jason Abdo told U.S. District Judge Walter Smith during a Thursday hearing in Waco, Texas, that he and his attorneys weren't communicating effectively. Smith granted Abdo's request to represent himself at his August 10 sentencing.
Abdo faces up to life in prison. He was convicted in May on six federal charges, including attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction.
Abdo was AWOL from Fort Campbell, Kentucky, when he was arrested last summer at a Fort Hood-area motel with bomb-making materials.
As during his trial, Abdo was forced to wear a mask Thursday to prevent him from spitting on marshals.
Past Stories:
- May 25, 2012: AWOL Muslim Soldier Guilty In Fort Hood Bomb Plot
- May 23, 2012: Detective: Gun Store Buys Led Police To Soldier
- May 22, 2012: Jury Sees Video Of GI Buying Bomb-Making Items
- May 21, 2012: Fort Hood Bomb Plot Suspect Wears Mask In Court
- April 6, 2012: Lawyers: Throw Out Fort Hood Bomb Plot Confession
- Jan. 10, 2012: Trial For Soldier In Fort Hood Bomb Plot Delayed
- Dec. 22, 2011: Soldier Charged In Fort Hood Bomb Plot Gets Lawyer
- Nov. 17, 2011: Soldier Pleads Not Guilty To Bomb Plot Charges
- Nov. 9, 2011: New Charges Against Soldier In Fort Hood Bomb Plot
- Aug. 9, 2011: AWOL Soldier Indicted In Fort Hood Bomb Plot
- Aug. 4, 2011: Grand Jury To Hear Case Of Ft. Hood Plot Suspect
- July 30, 2011: Gun Shop Clerk Tipped Police to AWOL Soldier
- July 29, 2011: AWOL Soldier Defiant In 1st Court Appearance
- July 28, 2011: Police: AWOL Soldier Was Close To Fort Hood Attack
- July 20, 2011: Army: Muslim Soldier Opposed To War Is AWOL
- June 15, 2011: Muslim Soldier Opposed To War Faces Porn Charge
- Aug. 23, 2010: Muslim Soldier Claims To Be Conscientious Objector
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
