Update:
September 13, 2007
Prosecutors to show evidence at USF students' hearing
TAMPA -- Federal prosecutors have filed a motion for permission to use a laptop during the bond hearing Friday for two University of South Florida students facing explosives charges.
"The United States is planning to present evidence at the hearing through the use of a laptop computer," says the motion, filed this morning in federal court. "The use of the computer will facilitate in the government's presentation."
Prosecutors have declined to speak about their preparations for the case against suspended USF students Youssef Megahed, 21, and Ahmed Mohamed, 26, or say what they will present in court.
"We're not going to comment outside of the courtroom proceedings or what's in the findings," said Jay Trezevant, a spokesman for the U.S. Attorney's Office in Tampa.
The men remain at a Hillsborough County jail in solitary confinement. A lieutenant at the Falkenburg Road Jail said today that Mohamed continues to defy jail rules by not wearing his wristband. The violation means he isn't allowed to have certain privileges, like receiving mail or visitors.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Elizabeth A. Jenkins will likely discuss appointing a federal public defender for Megahed at the start of Friday's hearing. Mohamed's Charleston, S.C., attorney, Lionel Lofton, is arriving in Tampa today and plans to represent Mohamed on Friday in court.
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