Watch CBS News

Brothers Of "Fort Dix Five" Want Life Sentences Thrown Out

CAMDEN, N.J. (CBS) --   Three of the so-called "Fort Dix Five" tell a federal judge their 2008 conspiracy convictions are flawed because their attorneys wouldn't let them testify at trial.

The three Duka brothers are serving life for conspiring to kill soldiers at Fort Dix.

Their appeals are exhausted, but Camden federal judge Robert Kugler heard arguments on the issue of whether their defense attorneys kept them from testifying.

Outside court, younger brother Burim Duka said his brothers deserve a new trial.

"The attorneys told my brothers not to testify during the trial. They say they weren't ready," he said.

But all three former defense attorneys said during the hearing that while they recommended their clients not take the stand at trial, they would have honored their right to testify if that's what they wanted.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.