The Fried Chicken Defense

(White Plains, New York) Last May, four New Yorkers were arrested by members of an FBI-NYPD Joint Terrorist Task Force for allegedly plotting to blow up Bronx Jewish centers and military targets. The four suspects were identified as James Cromitie, David Williams, Onta Williams and Laguerre Payen.

The alleged plotters face charges of conspiring and attempting to use weapons of mass destruction and conspiring to kill officers and employees of the United States. Defense lawyers claim the suspects were entrapped by an FBI informant who also paid the suspects with meals of fried chicken at a Crown Chicken restaurant.

"You can't watch the tapes that you don't see eating going on," said Marilyn Reader, lawyer for accused would-be terrorist Laguerre Payen.

"The [confidential informant] is paying for all these meals."

Therefore, the defense contends the terrorism plot only came about because of FBI entrapment and bribery with fried chicken. Inducements other than fried chicken were hinted at but none identified. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Leibowitz said he would check the fried chicken angle.

Frankly, I think it's a losing argument. If men would blow up buildings and kill people for buckets of crispy chicken, they're dumb enough to be guilty of anything.

The four men are scheduled to stand trial on June 14, 2010.