Shooter Pleads Guilty to Shooting Two Ark. Soldiers as Retribution for Muslim Deaths
- Posted on July 25, 2011 at 5:14pm by
Jonathon M. Seidl
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LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — A man who confessed to shooting two soldiers outside a military recruiting station in Arkansas struck a plea deal with prosecutors Monday to avoid the death penalty.
Abdulhakim Muhammad pleaded guilty in the middle of his trial to capital murder and attempted capital murder charges. Pulaski County Judge Herbert Wright then sentenced Muhammad to life in prison without parole for capital murder, with additional time for the remaining charges against him.
Prosecutors had to withdraw the death penalty for Muhammad to plead guilty to capital murder. Arkansas law requires a defendant to be tried if lethal injection is a sentencing option.
Muhammad had tried to plead guilty to capital murder during pre-trial proceedings, but he couldn’t do that with prosecutors seeking the death penalty.
Muhammad was charged with the killing of Army Pvt. William Andrew Long. He also was charged with attempted capital murder for wounding Pvt. Quinton Ezeagwula in 2009.
He confessed to the shootings in phone calls to The Associated Press, and also admitted his deeds to the judge overseeing his case and to authorities. Muhammad said he was acting in retribution for the deaths of Muslims in U.S. military action in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Ezeagwula’s mother, Sonja Ezeagwula, testified Monday afternoon shortly after Muhammad pleaded guilty.
“I want you to feel the bullet in his head,” she said.
She looked at Muhammad’s family, who filed into the courtroom after he pleaded guilty.
“I am so sorry for the choice that your son decided to make,” she said.
Muhammad and investigators said he drove up to a military recruiting station in Little Rock in 2009, where two soldiers – Long, 23, and Ezeagwula, then 18 – were smoking cigarettes outside. They’d recently completed basic training and had volunteered to work as recruiters. Neither had seen combat. Muhammad fired an assault rifle, killing Long and wounding Ezeagwula.
Police stopped Muhammad moments later on a highway that would have taken him to Memphis, Tenn., where he lived until he moved to Little Rock. Officers found more weapons and ammunition in his truck, along with a stash of bottled water and food. He told authorities he would have killed more soldiers if he could have.
Muhammad and those prosecuting him say he knew what he was doing, but his defense attorneys and father say something’s clearly wrong. His lawyers argued that he was not guilty by reason of mental defect, and a defense psychiatrist testified Muhammad was delusional.
“Anyone who watches him speak or reads those letters that he’s been writing knows that something is not right in his head,” said his father, Melvin Bledsoe of Memphis.
Muhammad was born Carlos Bledsoe but changed his name after converting to Islam during college.
In 2007, he traveled to Yemen, where Islamic extremists are known to seek sanctuary. He overstayed his visa and was deported back to the U.S.
Muhammad claimed to have links to terror groups, but it’s unclear whether that is true.
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Comments (110)
trooper
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 6:19pmHe “more than likley” has commited many other murders for nothing but a shot at stealing a few dollars, now he claims to be a muslime convert that makes him more inocent than a cold blooded murderer. Stick a needle in his arm and make him a “good muslime convert”.
Report Post »chazman
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 6:38pmA couple packs of smokes … that’s all yer life is worth, you muslim freak. Get ready for yer dirtnap on yer way to he!!
Report Post »mutslie
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 6:43pmOnly one thing worse than a MUZSLUM….. ‘a ****** MUZSLUM – (muslim)
Hang ‘the bastard……. (slowly)
Report Post »dealer@678
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 7:14pmThis guys name tells me all i need to know. Demon filled freak
Report Post »Marci
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 7:17pmThey don’t want to pull the “mental defect” bit because it would prove that’s what it takes to convert to Islam as a U.S. citizen. Interesting that even Yemen deported his butt. We won’t do the same in our own country. I pray for the families—my hometown is Little Rock, Arkansas. Living in Arizona now.
Report Post »muhamadhater
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 9:02pm@trooper…. Amen 2 that!! if he atmits 2 killing the soldiers and and then makes the statement that he would of killed more of them if he could…should get him 2 the front of the needle line!!! instead we have 2 support this worthless POS for the rest of his life, WOW WHAT THE HELL WENT WRONG IN THIS COUNTRY? God help us…were just burying this country deeper and deeper…WHEN DID THIS COUNTRY LOSE COOMON SENCE?
Report Post »taskmaster78
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 9:33pmWhat a num ass
Report Post »dealer@678
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 10:17pmSo sad. No more liberal white chicks for you bud
Report Post »Miami
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 11:51pmHow does the prosecutors cut a deal to keep this guy alive….?
He confessed to killing our military brothers in cold blood the hell with the needle or even old sparky this guy should be tried for treason and hung till dead…!
It’s not about his race but his lack of humanity in his crime…
Report Post »Favored93
Posted on July 26, 2011 at 3:08amReligion of peace…………….Mhhhhhmmmmm we believe them.
Report Post »techengineer11
Posted on July 26, 2011 at 8:47amFavored93: Yet the US drops bombs from 10k’ which indiscriminately slaughters babies, little girls, mothers, pets and perhaps one thought to have been interested in a WMD.. Talk about a compassionate society. Wonder what motivates such a wicked group of people? Or is just plain blind ignorance? Ignorance has consumed America! It spreads like a cancer seemingly with no end in sight.
This is simply more collateral damage as a result of the illegitimate unconstitutional War on the entirely innocent people of Iraq. Expect more of the same to continue for years to come.. Long after you have forgotten about it since it hasn’t cost you a damn thing many will still remember.
I believe Christians in America should get on their hands and knees and cry out for forgiveness for what this Nation has done in Iraq and perhaps God will have mercy upon us! Otherwise prepare to reap what we have sown.
Report Post »silentwatcher
Posted on July 27, 2011 at 12:06amburn him at the stake but cut his head off first. feed it to the pigs.
Report Post »spreadcommonsensenot pc
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 6:08pmHey Abdulhakim, Bubba wants to meet you before you get your lethal injection……
Report Post »Obama Bin Lying
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 6:19pmHe had better not drop his Quran in the shower…..
Report Post »patriotforlife
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 8:29pmPut him in general population, quick, before ovomit pardons him.
Report Post »Favored93
Posted on July 26, 2011 at 3:10amDon’t drop the soap!!!!
Report Post »He will not last long in there….isn’t it against Islam to be gay….HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!! Poor guy.
boca_chica
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 6:06pmFunny how he managed to escape the death penalty, but is more than willing to kill more people-and was caught red handed-no “ beyond a reasonable doubt” here. So we pay 40-60 grand to house this person every year-if he lives 50 years, that will be 2 million dollars spent on one person. We have become little-girl soft with some of the worst enemies of our society.
Report Post »loriann12
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 6:14pmHe escaped the death penalty, so now he can convert others in prison to Islam. Life in prison is too good for him.
Report Post »Robert-CA
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 6:03pm& why the prosecution took the easy way ?
Report Post »He should get the death penalty .
@ the same time if a jury like the one for Casey Anthony shows up … you never know .
But for me I wish they stayed with the death penalty & no deals .
Sheepdog911
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 6:10pmHang him and bury him in Pig manure.
Report Post »Robert-CA
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 6:29pmI cant believe it that now we have to pay for his food drinks & medical care .
Report Post »So our soldiers are out there to protect us but once they‘re killed our prosecutors won’t like to be bothered & bring them justice & the justice is this case was the death penalty .
Favored93
Posted on July 26, 2011 at 3:13amOur judicial system is far more interested in convictions then right and wrong justice and injustice and the sad thing is we all know it :(
Report Post »Arkansawyer
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 6:03pmPlea bargains are the very reason why our prisons are full and overflowing, and We The People have to pay to keep them in what seems to be a more comfortable place that what most would call “locked up.” Whether it is inhumane or not, the death sentence for murders like this and many others, is just as fair as the murder committed.
Report Post »let us prey
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 6:20pmarkansawyer
Report Post »I agree, we pay way too much to keep this filth alive. The price to keep these people in jail is more than many citizens make in a year of working. Last I heard, it is around 40k for a minimum security prison for one year. Outrageous.
vehoae
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 7:01pmFor Arkansawyer — Remember how DNA has allowed a lot of emprisoned folks to have their cases looked at a second time? Just wait until the federal government and the President’s lackies on the Supreme Court rule in favor of Sharia Law being recognized for ayone who says he/she follows Islam/Muslim. People like this Muslim will find a way to get a new trial, this time based on Sharia law.
Report Post »lvamervet
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 5:53pmWhile serving his life sentence he will recruit more terrorist that may be released….
Report Post »He is a coward and probably will not serve a life sentence…… Some liberal judge will release him…
Lord_Frostwind
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 6:07pmIt goes beyond frustrating to see this kind of thing going on. But then again I am the kind of person who would be happy to make firing squads mandatory for this kind of crime.
Report Post »banjarmon
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 5:50pmMake sure his pants stay around his knees and he has NO KY
Report Post »dcwu
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 5:48pmHe looks just like a hog.
Report Post »Exrepublisheep
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 5:44pmSorry guys, A muslim in prison will just become a protected member of the muslim brotherhood.
Report Post »bhelmet
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 5:41pmThis is the type of action that scares me more than the debt and/or collapse. Extremism and our citizens turning into animals. These two situations have me far more worried than anything financial and will lead to our demise as a republic faster than anything else. May God have Mercy on our souls.
Report Post »The_Almighty_Creestof
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 5:39pmI hope they put his cowardly a$$ in the general population. I also hope thr guards put the word out on him. “See that guy? Muslim terrorist who killed a young soldier. Skip the vaseline and there is a carton of smokes in it for you and the boys.”
Report Post »neverending
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 5:39pmSo how long before barry boy pardons him? Dirty rotten chicken – he needs to go along with the rest of these sorry sob’s!
Report Post »nomodimcrats
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 5:37pmmuhammad is his changed name from Carlos Bledsoe. Changed name when converted to Islam in college. Thanks alot college! His dad has a tour bus company that had expanded from Memphis into Arkansas before killing. Too bad he didn’t grow up like his dad.
Islam must be dealt directly with as it’s killing our great people and will get worse left unchecked!
Report Post »The_Almighty_Creestof
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 5:36pmHow come these “Soldiers of Allah” never have the balls to fight a stand up fight against another armed soldier…or average man for that matter? It’s always suicide bombs, bombing women & children, killing defenseless civilians…in this case unarmed men with no combat experience.
Well…I got news for you “Mo”…no virgins for you mister “I decided I’m afraid to die at the last minute”.
I swear…there is not one worth a darn…not one worth trying to save or protect. Just sub-human trash with millions of oil money to spend on weapons.
Report Post »Don Logan
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 6:22pmNot one what worth a darn?
Report Post »rose-ellen
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 9:23pmThey don’t have the same arms as the soldiers.Duh!it’s called irregular warfare.Duh![though i have no sympathy for his opening fire on state side recruits!].[On the other hand if they signed up to go kill muslims well looks like their desire to murder muslims backfired![akin to those ft. hood murderers or would be murderers of muslims!]
Report Post »Favored93
Posted on July 26, 2011 at 3:20amWOW ROSE!!!
Report Post »This is a new low for you!
You are a fool!
Please do yourself and the world of all free men a favor and go stand with Islam in Iran! Or Iraq!
You and those like you are killing this country!
I can’t stand it that a ****** like you cancels out a thinking persons vote!
You are an embarrassment!
Favored93
Posted on July 26, 2011 at 3:26am@ROSE
Report Post »They said the same thing about our boys in Nam. Most of us THINK that is shameful evidently you are not a thinking person!
dmerwin
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 5:34pmMaybe not, put him in the general population. Remember Jeff Dahmer?
Report Post »bhelmet
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 5:38pmPrisons are full of men who agree with this man – he would be a hero.
Report Post »dmerwin
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 6:29pmTo some, but I recall some survey that stated the majority of incarcerated Americans identify strongly with being an American.
Report Post »EZDOZIT
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 5:28pmHe over stayed his visa, so Yemin deported him. If a poor 3rd world country like Yemin can control their boarders, why can’t we?
Report Post »1PORattler
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 5:32pmLMAO at EZDUZIT…. Nailed it…
Proof positive that common sense no longer exists on the slopes of Capitol hill…
Report Post »Exrepublisheep
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 5:40pmhmm, good point.
Report Post »dontbotherme
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 5:26pmPerhaps this is why this enemy combatant should have been tried in a Military Court.
Report Post »hauschild
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 5:26pmSo, another 30k per year to house this loser?
Report Post »John-Mary
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 5:49pm30K? in 1965 maybe. Try 85K
Report Post »nomodimcrats
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 5:25pmHe looks like a converted American to Islam. He doesn’t look like Middle East person. Wonder if, by chance he was converted to Islam in prison and changed his name to reflect it? I’m gonna google his name and find out . . .
Report Post »MONICNE
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 5:31pmThe professionals call it Pris-Lam because it is a fake Muslim cult used by gangs behind bars.
Report Post »mdlwoods
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 5:25pmI thought it was an honorable thing to martyr themselves and get their virgins? Maybe his faith is not as strong as he thinks???
Report Post »Rayblue
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 5:24pmTypical muslim bravery.
Report Post »The religion of running and hiding.
And brain damage, which got him off death row.
elosogrande
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 5:23pmI wonder why cold-blooded killers don’t want to die. Someone will kill him in prison and considering his belief in Islam, he will go straight to hell.
Report Post »Dismayed Veteran
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 5:23pmWhile I am a supporter of the death penalty, there are times that I think spending life in prision with no parole would be a worse fate.
This is another Islamic act of terror. We truly are in a holy war.
Report Post »AmericaTheFree
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 5:20pmIt sad that our own children are being converted to evil in our colleges.
Report Post »bikerr
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 5:16pmCouldn’t put on his man pants and take the death penalty?
Report Post »BlackCrow
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 5:29pmCovered in bacon fat
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