Prosecutor lauds civilian courts for terrorism trials

DETROIT (AP) -- A federal prosecutor believes U.S. District Court was the correct venue for criminal charges against a Nigerian man accused of trying to bring down a Detroit-bound plane by igniting chemicals in his underwear. U.S. Attorney Barbara McQuade said Wednesday the case against Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab "demonstrates that civilian courts are an appropriate tool for bringing terrorists to justice." Abdulmutallab pleaded guilty Wednesday on the second day of his trial to charges that include conspiracy to commit terrorism. He faces mandatory life in prison. Abdulmutallab attempted to detonate a bomb as Northwest Airlines Flight 253 was descending over the Detroit area on Christmas Day 2009. It caused a fire in his pants instead of exploding. He later told the FBI he was working for al-Qaida in Yemen. Published: Fri, Oct 14, 2011