A federal judge this afternoon imposed multiple life sentences on failed underwear bomber Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, who tried to blow up a Detroit-bound jetliner on Christmas Day 2009.
“The defendant has never expressed doubt or regret or remorse about his mission,” U.S District Judge Nancy Edmunds told the 25-year-old Nigerian student-turned-Al Qaida-operative during a 90-minute hearing in Detroit. “To the contrary, he sees that mission as divinely inspired and a continuing mission.”
“I believe the defendant poses a significant ongoing threat to the safety of American citizens everywhere,” Edmunds said, adding that she couldn’t control his motivations, but could control his opportunity to carry them out.
Edmunds imposed the sentence after several passengers on Northwest Flight 253 talked about how the failed bombing attempt had forever changed their lives, causing them to fear flying, seek mental health counseling and have continuing nightmares.
