Bombing suspect’s lawyer wants shootout charges dropped

ELIZABETH, N.J. – A lawyer for a man accused of setting off bombs in New Jersey and New York City wants charges related to a shootout with police dismissed.

Ahmad Rahimi, 28, is charged with attempted murder for the Sept. 19 gunbattle with five officers in Linden, New Jersey.

At the time, he was being sought for planting two bombs in Manhattan and two in New Jersey — near a charity run in Seaside Park, and in a trash can in Elizabeth. One of the bombs detonated in a Manhattan neighbourhood, injuring 30 people.

Authorities allege the Afghanistan-born U.S. citizen, who lived with his family in Elizabeth, pulled a gun and fired on officers after a police officer in Linden found him asleep in a bar doorway.

The shootout ended with Rahimi shot and wounded. The officer who first came upon Rahimi was shot but saved by his bulletproof vest, authorities said. Officials said another officer was grazed by a bullet.

Union County Deputy Public Defender Peter Liguori, who is representing Rahimi, argues prosecutors failed to present sufficient evidence to support charges he tried to kill the Linden police officers.

Rahimi’s next hearing in Superior Court is set for Feb. 28.

He also faces a federal trial in October over the bomb charges.

___

Information from: NJ.com, http://www.nj.com