TAMPA — Youssef Megahed and Ahmed Mohamed won’t stand trial on federal explosives charges until at least March, a federal judge ruled nowadays.

Defense attorneys and prosecutors indicated they weren’t prepared to go to trial on Monday, the term U.S. District Judge Steven Merryday had it scheduled.

John Fitzgibbons, who represents Mohamed, 26, said he participated in a telephone conference nowadays with U.S. Justice of the Peace Judge Mark Pizzo who granted a inquiry to have the trial moment moved.

An official order from the court setting a new period has yet to be entered.

On Thursday, Merryday denied a inquiry from Megahed, 21, who wanted his trial apart from Mohamed’s.

Assistant federal public defender Adam Allen, who represents Megahed, argued that an Aug. 29 indictment against the men did not charge them with a conspiracy. Both men are accused of illegally transporting explosive materials.

The

suspended University of South Florida students were arrested Aug. 4 after a deputy stopped them for speeding approach a South Carolina naval base. He searched their car after deciding that they were suspicious.

Only Mohamed faces an additional charge of demonstrating how to manufacture or use a destructive device. Prosecutors said they found a video on his laptop, narrated by Mohamed, where he shows how to assemble a isolated control detonator.

Allen said that the terrorism implications in the moment charge that Mohamed faces could prejudice Megahed’s case. A jury might convict Megahed for his mere organization with Mohamed, Allen said.

Also nowadays, Allen filed a motion with the court asking Merryday to reconsider his ruling that the two men stand trial together.

Megahed and Mohamed remain in jail with no bond.

-Kevin Graham, Times staff writer

Original post by Times staff