Terror suspect doesn't take stand
Closing arguments are next in the Chicago trial of a man accused in the Mumbai attacks.
CHICAGO - Testimony in the trial of a Chicago businessman accused in the 2008 Mumbai attacks wrapped up swiftly Monday as defense attorneys called only two witnesses before resting their case.
Tahawwur Rana is accused of providing cover for longtime friend David Coleman Headley, who has admitted to laying groundwork for the rampage in India's largest city.
Headley, whose late mother was a Philadelphia socialite and late father a Pakistani official, pleaded guilty and was the government's star witness, spending five days on the stand detailing how he worked with both Pakistani intelligence and an extremist group as he scoped sites ahead of the attacks.
Attorneys put on only a brief defense Monday, calling a computer forensics expert and an immigration attorney - but not Rana - after federal prosecutors rested their case earlier in the day.
"I waive the right," Rana said when asked by U.S. District Judge Harry Leinenweber if he wanted to testify.
Closing arguments are expected Tuesday in the trial, which has been especially closely watched since the May 2 killing of Osama bin Laden by U.S. forces in a Pakistani hideout. Pakistan has denied anyone in the government helped hide the al-Qaeda leader.
Jurors did hear Rana's words earlier Monday during testimony from the prosecution's final witness, an FBI agent who questioned him in October 2009.
Prosecutors played video clips of statements by Rana, who had agreed to speak with FBI investigators for nearly six hours after his arrest.
Rana could be heard in the clips recounting names and affiliations of others charged in the case, including members of the Pakistani intelligence agency known as ISI and Lashkar-e-Taiba, the group blamed in the attack.
But it was unclear from the statements whether Rana knew of the Mumbai plot ahead of time. Defense attorneys and prosecutors did not comment Monday.
Rana owns several Chicago-area businesses, including an immigration law services center with offices worldwide. Prosecutors allege Rana allowed Headley to pose as a business representative and open a Mumbai office while doing his video surveillance.