Local man accused of terrorism fit to stand trial | Crime

TAMPA, Florida (AP) - A court-appointed psychologist has concluded a Tampa Bay area terrorism suspect named Sami Osmakac is competent to stand trial.

The Tampa Tribune reports that U.S. Magistrate Anthony Porcelli ordered the competency review and during a hearing Thursday, said that a psychologist determined Osmakac is competent.

Osmakac, a naturalized citizen from Kosovo, was arrested in 2012 on charges of attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction and possession of an unregistered machine gun after an undercover sting by the FBI. Authorities said he planned to attack a busy Tampa night spot, then take hostages and demand the release of Muslim prisoners.

Osmakac's attorney, Ralph Fernandez, also said he would like to withdraw from the case. He has cited "irreconcilable differences" with Osmakac in court pleadings.

Related Stories:

• Thwarted bombing suspect previously arrested
• Terror suspect: "You cannot escape death"
• Potential targets find alleged Tampa terror plot ''disturbing''
• "This plan would have worked," says former bomb tech
• Terror suspect's brother says it's all lies
• Islamic community grateful for foiled terror plot recognition
• More run-ins with police surface involving terror suspect
• Official: US bomb plot suspect met Kosovo radicals
• Tampa bomb suspect indicted by grand jury