Surprise deal saves American Taliban from life in prison
The US government hailed the plea as an important victory and said Lindh would co-operate with intelligence officers and investigators in anti-terrorism efforts in exchange for his 20-year-sentence.
The deal, which caught even the trial judge off guard, was announced on the first day of what was supposed to be a week-long series of hearings at which defence lawyers hoped to get statements Lindh made to investigators thrown out of his trial.
"I plead guilty. I plead guilty, sir," Lindh told the judge in Alexandria, a Washington suburb, as he entered the plea to two charges of supplying help to the Taliban and carrying explosives.
Under terms of his deal with prosecutors, Lindh, 21, will serve two consecutive 10-year prison sentences. The 10 charges in the original indictment carried at least three maximum life sentences. "The court finds your plea of guilty to be knowing and voluntary," said District Judge TS Ellis. "The court accepts your plea and adjudges you now guilty."
With his parents and younger sister seated behind him, Lindh rose in his green prison jumpsuit to face the judge and state in his own words the crimes he committed: "I provided my services as a soldier to the Taliban last year from about August to November. During the course of doing so I carried a rifle and two grenades."
US Attorney Paul McNulty, chief prosecutor in the case, called the pleading "an important victory for the American people in the battle against terrorism." The plea deal, McNulty said, means the US government is now "able to use our limited and very vital resources, not only to continue to prosecute terrorists but to pursue the military campaign."
Noting Lindh's ongoing co-operation, Attorney General John Ashcroft hailed the plea deal. "He will now spend the next 20 years in prison nearly as long as he has been alive," Ashcroft said.
President George Bush approved the outlines of the deal last week, according to White House officials. Lindh, who grew up in California before journeying to Afghanistan, was due to go on trial on August 26.
His lawyers had planned to use a series of hearings this week to ask Ellis to throw out statements Lindh made during his capture because he had not been advised of his rights.
Lindh's father said he was thankful the government dropped the more serious terrorism charges. Frank Lindh said he told his son after he was brought back to the United States that South African leader "Nelson Mandela served 26 years and I told him to be prepared for something like that."
"John has no bitterness," Frank Lindh added.
Lindh's mother described him as a "kind, humble and a loving son" who went to Afghanistan to "satisfy a thirst" for Islam.
"He did not go to Afghanistan with the intention of fighting against the United States," Marilyn Walker said.
Before accepting the plea, Ellis asked Lindh if he was willing to forego a trial.
"Yes, sir," Lindh responded.
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