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CNN Live At Daybreak

Judge Drops One of Several Charges Against Reid

Aired June 12, 2002 - 06:42   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: The so-called Shoe Bomber case was back in federal court in Boston. The judge dropped one charge against Richard Reid.

CNN's Susan Candiotti has more for you.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Reid in an armed motorcade taken to court and delivered a legal victory of sorts. The court pulled out a dictionary, the same one used by Congress, to toss out a count called attempted wrecking of a mass transportation vehicle.

Judge William Young ruled an aircraft does not fit the definition of a mass transportation vehicle as Congress intended because a plane does not carry people on land. Reid was the first person charged with that offense as part of the U.S.A. Patriot Act passed after September 11. But if convicted of the eight remaining counts, Reid could still face up to five life terms.

In court, Reid's attorneys argued for another victory. They want potentially damning statements against him thrown out because, they argue, the FBI questioned Reid after telling police I have nothing else to say. They also argue he was still too drugged to know what he was doing. Doctors sedated Reid aboard Flight 63 after he allegedly tried to light explosives in his sneakers.

Former U.S. Attorney Stan Twardy.

STAN TWARDY, FORMER U.S. ATTORNEY: He was being coerced into agreeing to further testimony. It's the old movies of somebody being forced to sign a confession.

CANDIOTTI: The government argues it did everything by the book. In a two-hour statement to the FBI -- quote -- "Reid spoke freely and eagerly on many topics. No convincing, prodding or deception." The FBI says Reid admitted to traveling all over Europe and the Mideast with no apparent source of income, that the timing of the terror attack near Christmas was meant to maximize damage to the U.S. economy.

(on camera): Sources say in those statements Reid also claimed that he made the shoe bomb by himself. The government says it has evidence that's not true. They found a hair and a palm print that belonged to someone else other than Reid. The question is who else was helping him?

Susan Candiotti, CNN, Boston.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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