By Bill Zeeble, KERA reporter
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kera/local-kera-759457.mp3
Dallas, TX – Federal Prosecutors try once again to convict Holy Land Foundation members of sending money to the outlawed Middle East group, Hamas. Last year's lengthy case ended in a mistrial. KERA's Bill Zeeble reports:
While some charges have been reduced, in some cases drastically, this complex case is still expected to last weeks and be tough for jurors. Five leaders with the Richardson-based Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development are accused of funneling money to Palestinian charities, which secretly passed the funds along to aid terrorism. Prosecutors will have to overcome arguments like this, as explained by Mustafa Carroll, executive director of the locally based Council on American-Islamic Relations. He observed most of last year's trial.
Carroll: If the Holy Land gave to charities supported by Hamas, why are those charities not on the government's list, the treasury department's list? Why is the United States government, American Red Cross, still giving to the same exact charities?
Prosecutors have tried to streamline the case and focus their arguments to gain unanimous convictions this time. Last year's jury failed to reach such a conclusion. The re-trial starts today. Bill Zeeble KERA news.