Published December 18, 2010
Associated Press
NEW YORK – The former Guantanamo detainee found guilty of conspiracy in the 1998 bombings of two U.S. embassies in Africa has asked a judge to toss the conviction.
Lawyers for Ahmed Ghailani (guh-LAHN'-ee) argued Friday that a mixed verdict in the case meant there wasn't enough evidence to support the conspiracy count.
A federal jury in New York City last month acquitted Ghailani of 224 counts of murder and dozens of other charges related to the bombings in Kenya and Tanzania.
Only one count stuck: conspiracy to destroy government buildings.
Ghailani's lawyers said that once the jury had decided he was not guilty of bombing the embassies, it was inconsistent to find him guilty of conspiracy in the same attacks.
Ghailani is scheduled to be sentenced in January. He could get life in prison.
