"Padilla was the star recruit of a terrorist support cell and he was discovered right in our backyard.''

That was AUSA Brian Frazier describing Jose Padilla in his closing argument. Interesting way to put it -- "star recruit"; discovered in "our backyard." I didn't hear the closing, but these are terms that jurors relate to and are very easily understood...

Frazier, of course, hammered the application form and repeated al Qaida as much as he could:

"You are already inside the al-Qaida organization when you get this form to fill out," Frazier told jurors. "He provided himself to al-Qaida for training to learn how to murder, kidnap and maim."

Here's the Herald, the Sun-Sentinel, and the AP on the government's closings.

Michael Caruso for Jose Padilla responds tomorrow.

Final arguments in Manuel Noriega

To be extradited to France or to go back home to Panama; that's the question for Judge Hoeveler.

Jose Padilla closing arguments...

...are underway.

The Government is up first, followed by Adham Hassoun.

Tomorrow will be Kifah Wael Jayyousi and then Jose Padilla. The Government will finish up with rebuttal.

Judge Cooke has decided to read the jury instructions before closing argument. I've had this done a couple times and don't really have a preference... Any thoughts on whether this is a good or bad thing? Does it matter?

"Federal Judge Accused of Religious Bias"

The federal judge referred to in the headline for this DBR article (which is going to be published Monday) is William Zloch:

Fort Lauderdale, Fla., attorney Loring Spolter is accusing U.S. District Judge William Zloch of bias in two employment discrimination cases, citing his deep religious beliefs, and wants the judge removed from the cases.

In a 110-page motion for recusal filed last month, Spolter cited Zloch's hiring of several law clerks from Ave Maria Law School, a donation to the Roman Catholic school and his attendance at several junkets for judges sponsored by conservative organizations.

I've had trials and a number of contested hearings in front of the former Chief Judge and have always found him to be fair and impartial. Definitely a no-nonsense judge, which is good. I think he lets both sides try their case. No complaints here...

To cite where a judge hires law clerks is just ridiculous. This motion will go nowhere.

News and Notes

1. Poor Monkey (Sun-Sentinel).

2. Our chief would never do this (WSJ Blog).

3. Jury instructions in Padilla almost finalized (AP).

4. Cop sues in federal court (DBR).

5. Sy's funeral. (Rumpole)