Convicted terrorist, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, wrote to U.S. District Court Judge Nancy Edmunds asking for a new legal advisor from the court.
According to Doug Guthrie of the Detroit News, Abdulmutallab is asking for a Muslim lawyer "to help him understand legal issues surrounding his Jan. 19 sentencing."
The News reports Abdulmutallab gave the judge a name - Elsayed Mostafa - an attorney Abdulmutallab had met earlier from the Federal Defender Office in the Eastern District of Michigan.
From the Detroit News:
"I find there is more understanding when the person is of the same religion," Abdulmutallab wrote. Mostafa said Monday he was unaware of the letter or the personal request. Abdulmutallab had rejected lawyers from the Defender's office before Anthony Chambers was appointed. "Yes, I have met him before, and if the judge asks me to I'll meet with him again before I commit myself to the case," Mostafa said.
Abdulmutallab said his appointed lawyer and staff "treat me with contempt" - a charge the lawyers deny. He's scheduled to be sentenced on January 19.
