'Jihad Jane' Expected To Change Plea
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - The Montgomery County woman charged with plotting to support terrorism has reversed course. Colleen LaRose (pictured), who called herself Jihad Jane, is changing her plea.
Defense attorney Mark Wilson tells CNN that LaRose will plead guilty on Tuesday in Philadelphia Federal court. LaRose had previously entered a plea of not guilty to charges of helping foreign terrorism suspects bent on starting a holy war in Europe and South Asia.
Wilson won't say if his client, who faces life in prison, is cooperating with authorities in a bid for a reduced sentence.
Authorities say the alleged conspiracy was hatched in 2008, when LaRose, calling herself Jihad Jane, posted a comment on YouTube saying she was desperate to do something to help Muslims. In 2009, authorities say LaRose and another woman traveled to Europe to live and train with jihadists. They were arrested separately in Ireland.
Reported by Molly Daly, KYW Newsradio 1060