Rana's trial to resume Monday

From Himani Kumar
Chicago, Jun 5 (PTI) The trial of Pakistani-Canadian
Tahawwur Rana, during which co-accused in the Mumbai attacks
David Headley testified that Pakistan's ISI was linked to the
2008 terror strikes, will resume in a court here Monday and
the jury may come up with a verdict as early as Wednesday.
The trial will resume with testimonies from Rana's
witnesses among others. The last of the witnesses will be
presented Monday.
The trial, which started on May 16 and was supposed to
last till June 15, had been going faster than expected.
If convicted, Rana faces a possible life sentence.
US District Court Judge Harry D Leinenweber said the
case had proceeded quickly partly because both the government
and defence had no problems with the stipulation.
A stipulation is an agreement between opposing parties
prior to a pending hearing or trial when both parties agree on
certain aspects on which they do not argue.
"We're fairly close to the end of the case,"
Leinenweber said during the last hearing.
Final arguments will take place on Tuesday and
deliberations are scheduled for the same day.
The jury will deliberate after weighing in the pros
and cons and given information and arguments to evaluate.
The jury could come up with a verdict whether Rana is
guilty or not as early as Wednesday.
Rana's attorney Charlie Swift said two witnesses from
the government's side will be presented tomorrow.
"We have no obligation even to put up a case. Defence
can put up a case if we choose to do so," he said.

"Defence will decide if it wants to make a case at the
end of the government's case. Rana has no obligation to
testify," Swift told PTI after the last hearing on June 2.
"I would expect the case will end next week and will
go to jury for deliberations and the jury will answer," he
said.
Jurors must reach a unanimous decision until they
reach a verdict. Deliberations by jurors are held behind close
doors.
"There will be three to four defence witnesses on
Monday," US Attorney's Office spokesperson Randall Samborn
said.
The government must prove that Rana is guilty beyond
reasonable doubt to convict him.
Rana was indicted by a federal grand jury under 12
counts on February 15 last year for planning out the Mumbai
attacks, providing material support to LeT to carry out the
bombings, and guiding Headley in scouting targets in Mumbai in
the process.
Rana, on the other hand, said that he was duped by
Headley, who has pleaded guilty to scouting sites in Mumbai.
PTI HK