Jose Padilla is escorted by federal officials at his arrival in Miami, Florida on January 5, 2006.
The Associated Press
MIAMI (AP) - Convicted terrorism plotter Jose Padilla was back in a South Florida courtroom and is seeking a delay in his scheduled resentencing by a federal judge.
The hearing Tuesday was behind closed doors but marked the 42-year-old Padilla's first time in a Miami courtroom since his 2008 sentencing. Padilla and two others were convicted of supporting al-Qaida and conspiracy after a lengthy trial. Initial claims Padilla intended to set off a radioactive "dirty bomb" were dropped.
A federal appeals court ruled that Padilla's 17-year prison sentence was too lenient and ordered him resentenced. That hearing is currently set for Dec. 3.
Defense attorney Michael Caruso wants more time to assess Padilla's mental condition. Padilla was held in a Navy brig for over three years without charge as an enemy combatant.