Chicago:
David Coleman Headley has told a court in Chicago that he is no longer proud of the 2008 terror attacks in Mumbai in which 166 people, including six Americans, were killed.
Headley, a Pakistani-American, is the key witness in the trial of Tahawwur Hussain Rana, another co-accused in the 26/11 case. Headley has already pleaded guilty to laying the groundwork for the attacks and has agreed to testify against Rana to avoid death penalty.
On day four of the closely-watched trial at the Chicago court, and after nearly three hours of cross-examination, defence attorney Patrick Blegen asked Headley, "You were proud of it (the attacks) then?" To this, Headley replied, "Yes." When the attorney asked him if he was still proud of it, Headley said, "No," without even pausing for a second. He however gave no explanation for the sudden change of heart.
During the course of the trial, Headley has spoken about death and destruction with striking ambivalence and an utter lack of any emotion. But today, for the first time, he came closest to expressing remorse over the 26/11 carnage.
Headley began his testimony in this court by expressing his deep dislike for India and Indians. He has also nonchalantly said that the killing of innocent people "is justified if it is in retaliation" of acts of against his faith.
A radically religious man, he has said that he was motivated by the belief that "one second of jihad equals a 100 years of prayers." He has even repeatedly talked of rewards and attaining salvation for his deeds.
But today, for the first time, he expressed a sentiment that sounded like contrition. The question now is: Will this have an effect on his sentencing, which is pending.
Headley, a Pakistani-American, is the key witness in the trial of Tahawwur Hussain Rana, another co-accused in the 26/11 case. Headley has already pleaded guilty to laying the groundwork for the attacks and has agreed to testify against Rana to avoid death penalty.
On day four of the closely-watched trial at the Chicago court, and after nearly three hours of cross-examination, defence attorney Patrick Blegen asked Headley, "You were proud of it (the attacks) then?" To this, Headley replied, "Yes." When the attorney asked him if he was still proud of it, Headley said, "No," without even pausing for a second. He however gave no explanation for the sudden change of heart.
During the course of the trial, Headley has spoken about death and destruction with striking ambivalence and an utter lack of any emotion. But today, for the first time, he came closest to expressing remorse over the 26/11 carnage.
Headley began his testimony in this court by expressing his deep dislike for India and Indians. He has also nonchalantly said that the killing of innocent people "is justified if it is in retaliation" of acts of against his faith.
A radically religious man, he has said that he was motivated by the belief that "one second of jihad equals a 100 years of prayers." He has even repeatedly talked of rewards and attaining salvation for his deeds.
But today, for the first time, he expressed a sentiment that sounded like contrition. The question now is: Will this have an effect on his sentencing, which is pending.
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