By KERA News & Wire Services
Dallas, TX – The father of a 20-year-old Jordanian man caught in an FBI sting trying to blow up a Dallas skyscraper says his son became depressed and had a breakdown after his mother died of cancer when he was a teenager.
The sentencing hearing for Hosam Smadi began Monday after he pleaded guilty in May to attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction. He faces up to life in prison but is likely under a plea agreement to receive a 30-year sentence and then face deportation.
Smadi's father said his son used to sleep by his mother's grave after her death about five years ago. Defense attorneys have offered a similar portrait of Smadi.
FBI officials say the defendant was a committed would-be terrorist determined to connect with al-Qaida or Hamas.
State Fair of Texas finishes record run
It was a record year for the State Fair of Texas.
Fair officials say fairgoers spent $37 million on food and amusement rides during the run of the fair, which started Sept. 24 and ended Sunday.
That beats the previous record of $29.2 million spent in 2007.
Sue Gooding, a fair spokeswoman, tells The Dallas Morning News, "We've just had incredibly beautiful weather. We had great exhibits, and all the interest in the food was just huge."
Food choices included the new Texas Fried Frito Pie and many other fried items. And new attractions included a tribute to Dallas Cowboys coach Tom Landry, which gave visitors an opportunity to view championship rings, game balls, trophies and rare family photos.
Officials did not have attendance figures.
Soldier says Fort Hood gunman was firing at random
A soldier who was shot three times during a deadly rampage at the Fort Hood Army post last year says the gunman appeared to be randomly shooting at anyone.
Speaking by video link from Kandahar in Afghanistan, Pvt. Justin Johnson said the shooter, whom he did not identify, did not seem to be targeting any particular person in the Nov. 5 shooting. Johnson is the 30th person to testify at a military hearing to determine if Maj. Nidal Hasan should stand trial on 13 counts of premeditated murder and 32 counts of attempted premeditated murder.
The Army has yet to decide if it will seek the death penalty if the case goes to trial.
White courts Democratic base in Texas gov's race
As early voting begins in Texas, gubernatorial candidate Bill White is trying to rally the Democratic base but keep his distance from President Barack Obama.
The former Houston mayor visited a predominantly African-American neighborhood and several churches in North Texas on Sunday. He criticized Republican Gov. Rick Perry's focus on "state's rights," a phrase once used by Southern governors to defend segregation that remains unpopular with many African-American voters.
White angered some African-American voters in August, when he decided not to meet with Obama, but some voters said Sunday they were in a forgiving mood.
Perry has repeatedly tried to tie White to Obama, though White has criticized Washington spending and the federal health care overhaul.