CHICAGO - A Chicago man accused of conspiring in the bloody November 2008 terrorist attacks that left 166 people dead in the Indian city of Mumbai is headed for federal court to answer the charges.
David Coleman Headley is set to be arraigned today before U.S. District Judge Harry Leinenweber. Officials in Washington say Headley is co-operating with federal prosecutors.
The charge of conspiracy to bomb public places in India that resulted in death carries a possible death penalty on conviction.
The 49-year-old Headley also is charged with scheming to attack a Danish newspaper that in 2005 published 12 cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammad. The cartoons set off protests in parts of the Muslim world.
Unlike his co-defendant in that case, Tahawwur Rana, Headley has not yet appeared in court. Rana is a Chicago businessman who also holds Canadian citizenship.
Rana's attorney, Patrick Blegen, has been attempting to get his client freed on bond. He says Rana appears to be an honest businessman who was duped by Headley.
