Judge Rejects Bush Plot Suspect's Request

ALEXANDRIA, Va. - A federal judge ruled Monday that prosecutors can use a confession by a man charged with joining al-Qaida and plotting to assassinate President Bush, despite defense claims that the confession was obtained through torture.

The ruling came after a six-day hearing in which Ahmed Omar Abu Ali testified that Saudi Arabian security officers whipped his back, kicked him in the stomach and pulled on his beard to obtain a confession.

U.S. District Judge Gerald Bruce Lee issued a one-page ruling and said he would explain his reasoning in a forthcoming order.

Abu Ali's lawyers wanted the confession tossed out and the entire case dismissed. But Lee's ruling means the trial will go forward this week, with jury selection Tuesday and opening statements as early as Thursday

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051024/ap_on_re_us/bush_plot

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