Closing Arguments End The Trial Of Tarek Mehanna

07:59

December 16, 2011

Dr. Marc Sageman, center, a terrorism consultant and former CIA case agent, testifies as defense attorney Janice Bassil, right, asks questions. Defendant Tarek Mehanna is at left; Bassil's aides are at right. (Margaret Small)

Prosecutors and the defense put forward closing arguments Friday, in the trial of a Sudbury man accused of supporting terrorists.

Tarek Mehanna is accused of traveling to Yemen in an attempt to find a terrorist training camp with the intention of going to Iraq to fight U.S. soldiers. Prosecutors say that when that failed, Mehanna returned to Sudbury and began translating and distributing materials online, which promoted violent jihad.

Mehanna's attorneys claim his online activities are a protected form of speech.

WBUR's David Boeri has been following the case, and was in federal court Friday. He joins us to discuss the details of the trial.

Guest:

David Boeri, senior reporter, WBUR

More:

In Mehanna Trial, Defense Saves The Star Witness For Last

This segment aired on December 16, 2011.