CINCINNATI (AP) — Defense attorneys say an Ohio man who plotted to attack the U.S. Capitol has now rejected “radical Islamic propaganda” that influenced him and should get a substantially lighter prison term than the 30-year sentence prosecutors are seeking.
In a 31-page memo filed this week, attorneys for 22-year-old Christopher Lee Cornell say a sentence between 10 and 20 years is more appropriate.
They urge the court to not “throw away” a young man they say “can be saved.”
Cornell was accused of plotting to attack during President Barack Obama’s 2015 State of the Union address.
Cornell pleaded guilty to three charges, including attempted murder of U.S. officials and employees.
The FBI arrested him Jan. 14, 2015, in a gun shop parking lot.
U.S. District Judge Sandra Beckwith is scheduled to sentence Cornell on Monday.
- Posted December 02, 2016
- Tweet This | Share on Facebook
Defense urges lighter sentence for attack plot

headlines Macomb
- Macomb County Meals on Wheels in urgent need of volunteers ahead of holiday season
- MDHHS hosting three, free virtual baby showers in November and December for new or expecting families
- MDHHS secures nearly 100 new juvenile justice placements through partnerships with local communities and providers
- MDHHS seeking proposals for student internship stipend program to enhance behavioral health workforce
- ABA webinar November 30 to explore the state of civil legal aid in America
headlines National
- This Is the Moment
- ACLU and BigLaw firm use ‘Orange is the New Black’ in hashtag effort to promote NY jail reform
- BigLaw partner won’t charge his $3,250 hourly rate to defend New Jersey cities in Trump administration suits
- After second federal judge withdraws error-riddled ruling, litigants seek explanation
- 5 hallucinated cases lead federal judge to kick 3 Butler Snow lawyers off case
- Bondi files ethics complaint against federal judge who reportedly expressed concern about ‘constitutional crisis’