Mosque Plot Suspect To Stand Trial
DEARBORN (WWJ/AP) - The California man accused of threatening to blow up a Dearborn mosque has been ordered to stand trial. The decision came following a day of testimony at Roger Stockham's preliminary examination in Dearborn District Court.
The key witness for the prosecution was the local restaurant manager Joe Nahhas who told the court a red flag when one of his customers began making disturbing statements.
"(Stockham said) he is going to make history, and the history he's going to make is big explosion. And, he's writing letters to the press to be released after the expolsion, and he added that he is going to give me a package for me to give it to the press after the big explosion," Nahhas said.
Nahhas told the threat seriously and called police.
Defense attorney Matthew Evans had requested the fireworks that police say they found in the 63-year-old Stockham's car last month be brought to his preliminary examination. Assistant prosecutor Khalid Najar objected to the request.
Evans is challenging charges of making a false report or threat of terrorism and possessing explosives with unlawful intent.
Stockham was arrested near the Islamic Center of America during a January 24th traffic stop. Police say Stockham was wearing a ski mask and had M-80s in his car, which are illegal in Michigan.
Stockham's criminal history dates back to the 1970s and he previously has been deemed legally insane.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.