MIAMI (AP) — Convicted terrorism plotter Jose Padilla is seeking a delay in his scheduled resentencing hearing in hopes that frequent family visits will improve his mental health.
U.S. District Judge Marcia Cooke set a hearing for Wednesday afternoon on the request. Padilla attorney Michael Caruso says in court documents the 42-year-old Padilla's psychological condition has deteriorated since his original 2008 sentencing.
An appeals court rejected Padilla's current 17-year prison sentence as too lenient, ordering Cooke to impose a longer sentence. That sentencing hearing is set for next Monday.
Padilla and two others were convicted of conspiracy and terrorism support charges involving al-Qaida.
Padilla was held in a Navy brig without charges over three years as an enemy combatant. Original claims that Padilla aimed to detonate a radioactive "dirty bomb" were dropped.
