Lawyer: Bombings suspect has serious injuries from shooting

(AP) -- A man charged with setting off bombs in New Jersey and New York shuffled slowly into a Manhattan courtroom Thursday to face federal terrorism charges as his lawyer expressed worries that a federal

News 12 Staff

Nov 10, 2016, 11:11 PM

Updated 2,729 days ago

Share:

Lawyer: Bombings suspect has serious injuries from shooting
(AP) -- A man charged with setting off bombs in New Jersey and New York shuffled slowly into a Manhattan courtroom Thursday to face federal terrorism charges as his lawyer expressed worries that a federal lockup could not adequately care for injuries stemming from his shootout with police.
Ahmad Khan Rahimi, 28, listened as U.S. Magistrate Judge Sarah Netburn read him his rights and the charges against him during a brief morning appearance after he was transferred into federal custody at 5 a.m. No plea was required because he has yet to be indicted.
The Afghanistan-born U.S. citizen was hospitalized for weeks for treatment of multiple bullet wounds after a police shootout during his Sept. 19 capture outside a bar in Linden, New Jersey.
Rahimi is charged with detonating a pipe bomb along a Marine Corps charity race in Seaside Park, New Jersey, and planting two pressure cooker bombs in New York City.
One of those devices did not explode. The other one detonated in Manhattan's Chelsea neighborhood, injuring 30.
Netburn formally notified him that he faced four federal charges: the use of weapons of mass destruction, the bombing of a public place, the destruction of property through fire or explosion and the use of a destructive device during a crime of violence.
Rahimi, speaking softly, acknowledged that he understood the charges while his attorney, David Patton, waived a public reading of them.
Patton told the judge he was worried that Rahimi cannot be adequately treated for his wounds at the Manhattan Correctional Center, a federal lockup next to federal courthouses in lower Manhattan.
He said Rahimi has already undergone eight to 10 surgeries, many for infections resulting from his bullet wounds. Rahimi also has serious liver damage, injuries to his left hand that prevent him from closing it, an open wound on his right leg and serious back and shoulder injuries, he added.
"We have some real concerns about Mr. Rahimi's medical condition," Patton said.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew DeFillippis said federal authorities took his injuries into consideration when they decided he was well enough to be transferred to the Manhattan facility.
Outside court, Patton said Rahimi "certainly plans to enter a plea of not guilty at his arraignment," but he declined to discuss anything further about the case or his client's mental condition.
In addition to the federal charges, Rahimi faces five counts of attempted murder of a police officer and weapons offenses in New Jersey. He has pleaded not guilty to those charges.
___
This story has been corrected to show the defendant's first name is Ahmad, not Ahmed.


More from News 12
1:51
Police: 1 killed, 4 severely injured in fire and explosion at Old Bridge business

Police: 1 killed, 4 severely injured in fire and explosion at Old Bridge business

1:57
Beautiful Thursday weather ahead; clouds and rain develop by the weekend

Beautiful Thursday weather ahead; clouds and rain develop by the weekend

2:00
Lacey Township officials address residents’ concerns about water quality issues

Lacey Township officials address residents’ concerns about water quality issues

0:18
Officials: 14 injured when NJ Transit bus collides with Jeep in Jersey City

Officials: 14 injured when NJ Transit bus collides with Jeep in Jersey City

1:39
Teacher testifies on second day of trial of father accused of fatally abusing son

Teacher testifies on second day of trial of father accused of fatally abusing son

0:39
Mother who accused Marlboro teacher of molesting daughter files lawsuit

Mother who accused Marlboro teacher of molesting daughter files lawsuit

Police: Boys bring loaded gun to indoor trampoline park, firearm accidentally discharged

Police: Boys bring loaded gun to indoor trampoline park, firearm accidentally discharged

1:01
Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Show to return to the Hudson River

Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Show to return to the Hudson River

0:26
‘Sounded like a truck was driving by’: 2.6 magnitude aftershock hits Gladstone, USGS says

‘Sounded like a truck was driving by’: 2.6 magnitude aftershock hits Gladstone, USGS says

1:34
Police: 7 people, including a baby and 3-year-old, injured in NJ Transit bus crash expected to be OK

Police: 7 people, including a baby and 3-year-old, injured in NJ Transit bus crash expected to be OK

0:28
Funeral arrangements announced for fallen Passaic police officer Brian Lora

Funeral arrangements announced for fallen Passaic police officer Brian Lora

1:47
NJ DOT to provide free shuttle service during Route 71 Shark River Bridge work repairs

NJ DOT to provide free shuttle service during Route 71 Shark River Bridge work repairs

Person struck, injured by NJ Transit train near Plauderville Station

Person struck, injured by NJ Transit train near Plauderville Station

0:27
Police: Burglars in Glen Ridge steal key fob and get away with homeowner's car

Police: Burglars in Glen Ridge steal key fob and get away with homeowner's car

0:42
Bradley Food Pantry to temporarily close on May 17

Bradley Food Pantry to temporarily close on May 17

0:16
Officials: 17-year-old girl in critical condition following Newark shooting

Officials: 17-year-old girl in critical condition following Newark shooting

0:19
Kitten saved from sewer in Newark

Kitten saved from sewer in Newark

0:17
Martinelli's apple juice recalled over high arsenic levels

Martinelli's apple juice recalled over high arsenic levels

0:33
What marijuana reclassification means for the United States

What marijuana reclassification means for the United States

Guide: Mental health resources available in the tri-state

Guide: Mental health resources available in the tri-state