By Dan Sewell
Associated Press
CINCINNATI (AP) - A federal judge will hear arguments on the government's request that she restrict phone access for a man accused of plotting to attack the U.S. Capitol.
Prosecutors filed their motion last week in the case of Christopher Lee Cornell, in the aftermath of his surprise call from jail to Cincinnati's WXIX-TV. The 20-year-old suburban Cincinnati man who has pleaded not guilty to charges in the case was recorded saying if he hadn't been arrested, he would have gone to Washington and shot President Barack Obama in the head and carried out other attacks.
Prosecutors say allowing phone access to a self-proclaimed supporter of Islamic State militants raises security concerns, saying he could contact others supporting a terrorist organization or attempt to "solicit, incite or engage in other acts of violence."
Judge Sandra Beckwith scheduled a hearing Tuesday afternoon on the motion. Court records Sunday didn't show a defense response being filed yet.
The motion asked Beckwith to limit Cornell's phone usage to court-approved contacts, such as his attorneys and immediate family members. A Boone County (Kentucky) Jail official last week declined a reporter's request to talk with Cornell, who has asked to be called by his Muslim name Raheel Mahrus Ubaydah.
His attorneys had argued unsuccessfully in court against allowing his WXIX-TV interview to air, saying it could violate the defendant's right to a fair trial.
The FBI arrested Cornell outside a Cincinnati gun shop Jan. 14. A federal indictment charges Cornell with attempted murder of government employees and officials, solicitation to commit a crime of violence, and a firearms-related count.
Cornell, who lived with his parents, was coerced and misled by a "snitch" trying to better his own legal situation, his father has said.
Published: Tue, Mar 17, 2015
