Terrorist told wife he ‘made a fool’ of co-defendant in Mumbai plot
BY RUMMANA HUSSAIN Criminal Courts Reporter rhussain@suntimes.com May 31, 2011 1:46PM
David Coleman Headley | ABC7
Updated: September 11, 2011 12:22AM
Convicted terrorist David Coleman Headley admitted Tuesday he told one of his wives he “a made a fool” out the childhood friend he repeatedly took advantage of since they first met in 1974.
“I acknowledge that I made a fool of him. He should be released. Poor fellow is stuck for no reason. It was my fault,” Headley allegedly told his spouse about Tahawwur Rana after the two Pakistani military school buddies were arrested in Chicago on charges related to the Mumbai terrorist attacks and a thwarted plot targeting the Danish newspaper that printed controversial cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad.
When confronted with those telling statements by attorney Patrick Blegen, Headley — the federal prosecutors’ star witness against Rana— clarified that he meant he duped Rana by “using him” and “getting him to assist.”
Headley, with Rana’s blessing, set up a phony Indian office using Rana’s immigration business’ name so Headley could conduct surveillance work for the militant Lashkar-e-Taiba before the three-day massacre in Mumbai in 2008, according to prosecutors.
Headley, 50, has since pleaded guilty for his role in the murderous overseas plots.
After five days on the stand, Headley finished testifying Tuesday, confessing he has spoken to relatives about the possibility of cashing in on a book or movie about his experiences.
Headley also said if he’s ever released from prison, he’d like to “fix” misperceptions the media and the public has about Islam.
During Blegen’s cross examination, Headley revealed that Illyas Kashmiri, an Al Qaeda ally allegedly tied to the Danish plot, had discussed killing the CEO of U.S. defense contractor Lockheed Martin Corp in retaliation for drone attacks in Pakistan.
Also, according to court testimony Tuesday, it was revealed Headley underwent 18 months of psychological treatment in 1997 and was diagnosed with having a “mixed personality” disorder in 1992.
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