Our judges and the war on terrorism: Judge clears terror convict of contempt

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Our judges and the war on terrorism: Judge clears terror convict of contempt

Posted: 9/1/2004 6:56:51 AM EDT

(AP) Judge clears terror convict of contempt

By TYPH TUCKER

Associated Press Writer

PORTLAND, Ore.

A member of the group of Portland-area Muslims convicted of conspiring

to wage war against the U.S. won't be subject to additional prison time,

despite his refusal to testify in front of a grand jury, a federal judge

ruled Tuesday.

But Judge Robert E. Jones did rule that the time Patrice Lumumba Ford

has recently served in the Multnomah County Justice Center would not

count toward his 18-year prison sentence, imposed in November, 2003.

Ford, who was convicted of attempting to join the Taliban in late fall

2001, was subpoenaed in July by a grand jury in Portland. Beyond

confirming his name at grand jury proceedings, Ford refused to answer

any questions, saying that his religion prohibited him from implicating

a fellow Muslim.

"I find his beliefs in good faith," said Jones. "Mr. Ford's beliefs are

sincere _ he will not be coerced to testify."

Ford has said that he tried to reach Afghanistan in the fall of 2001 to

fulfill an Islamic duty to defend fellow Muslims. Ford and other

Portland-area Muslims got as far as western China, but visa troubles

thwarted their efforts to get to the war zone. The FBI arrested and

convicted six members in 2002. The alleged ringleader remained abroad

and died in a shootout with U.S. forces on the Afghan border in 2003.

In his ruling Tuesday, Jones said Ford has already served the time

necessary for contempt of court.

"The appropriate sanction is the length of the court proceeding, roughly

of July and August," said Jones. To Ford he said, "You have now served

the time on this sanction. You won't get credit on your 18-year sentence

and will be remanded to the Bureau of Prisons."

Ford's family and supporters say he doesn't deserve the 18-year

sentence.

"This is a young man who never intended violence on anyone," said

55-year-old Linda Olson-Osterlund of Portland. "There's been an

injustice. I would like to see his sentence reduced to reflect the harm

done."

Ford's father, Kent Ford, 61, of Portland, said he didn't mind that the

two months wouldn't be taken off the sentence.

"So he loses two months," Ford said. "He got the chance to come home (to

Portland) and see his family."

Patrice Ford's attorney, Marc Sussman, said he believed Jones's ruling

showed a sensitivity toward Islam. Sussman said there were no plans to

appeal Ford's sentence, but he believed there would be more grand jury

activity.

"The grand jury's term is not over and I assume their investigation will

continue," he said. "I'm sure there have been others subpoenaed."

A call for comment to the U.S. Attorney's office in Portland was not

immediately returned.

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Our judges and the war on terrorism: Judge clears terror convict of contempt

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