Defense Begins in Christmas Tree Bomber Trial

January 29, 2013, 7:34 am

Prosecutors have rested their case and the defense has called their first witness in the terrorism trial of Mohamed Mohamud. 

On Monday, Osman Barre admitted he was worried that his son was being brainwashed by al-Qaida recruiters. He says it was this fear for the safety of his son that led to him contacting the FBI.  But now, in testimony for the defense, he thinks it was the FBI, in an elaborate sting, that brainwashed his son.

Mohamed Mohamud is accused of trying to set off a bomb during the tree lighting ceremony at Pioneer Courthouse Square in 2010. The bomb was a carefully constructed fake that looked like the real thing.

Baree told the court that his son suffered from a troubled home life and an identity crisis when the teen contacted Somali terrorists. FBI Agents testified that Mohamud was predisposed to carrying out the crime.

The defense contends that agents posing as terrorists pushed him to do something he couldn't have accomplished on his own.

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