Guantanamo Bay Detainee to Be Sentenced in NYC

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Source: ABC News/AP

1st Guantanamo Bay detainee to have civilian trial is to be sentenced in federal court in NYC

The first Guantanamo (gwahn-TAHN'-uh-moh) detainee to have a U.S. civilian trial is returning to a New York City courtroom to face sentencing.

Ahmed Ghailani (guh-LAHN'-ee) was convicted late last year of a count of conspiring to destroy government buildings related to a deadly al-Qaida attack on two U.S. embassies in Africa in 1998. He was acquitted of 224 counts of murder and dozens of other charges.

The 36-year-old Ghailani is scheduled to be sentenced Tuesday in federal court in Manhattan. He faces life in prison.

Defense lawyers have sought to convince the judge Ghailani deserves leniency because he didn't have firsthand knowledge about the bombing scheme. They also say the CIA tortured him.

Prosecutors argue a life sentence is appropriate. They say Ghailani knew about the plot all along and was a key player.

Read more: http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=12753950