Abdulmutallab read from a statement saying he was guilty under U.S. law, but not under Islamic law, for the crimes charged. He said he tried to carry out the bombing in retaliation for the murder of innocent civilians in Iraq, Israel, Afghanistan, Somalia and elsewhere by the United States.
He warned the U.S. that, if it continued to murder innocent Muslims, a calamity would befall the U.S. If you laugh at us now, we will laugh at you later,” he said.
He said committing jihad against the United States is one of “the most virtuous acts” a Muslim can perform.
Stand-by lawyer Anthony Chambers said Abdulmutallab made the decision on his own:
"It's disappointing," he said, adding that he never wants a client to plead guilty to charges that could result in a life sentence. He said Abdulmutallab made the decision on his own and announced it this morning.
It does not appear there was a plea agreement or any sentencing concessions. I can't help but wonder if the judge's ruling yesterday that the Government would be allowed to show a photograph of his burned genitals had something to do with his decision. Perhaps he wasn't willing to endure that final humiliation, given that he had virtually no chance of an acquittal on all counts.
Update: In Attorney General Eric Holder's statement on the guilty pleas, he stresses that our federal courts are up to the task of trying terrorists:
“Contrary to what some have claimed, today’s plea removes any doubt that our courts are one of the most effective tools we have to fight terrorism and keep the American people safe. Our priority in this case was to ensure that we arrested a man who tried to do us harm, that we collected actionable intelligence from him and that we prosecuted him in a way that was consistent with the rule of law.
