Times Square Bomb suspect appears in court for his first hearing

NEW YORK - Times Square bombing attempt suspect, Faisal Shahzad has been produced in court for his first trial after being charged with terrorism and possession of weapons.

Shahzad was wearing a gray sweat suit and was composed. He pleaded ‘no plea’ to the five felony charges against him.

He had admitted to driving the SUV bomb into Times Square and told authorities he had received terror training during a recent five-month trip to Pakistan.

He has been charged with using a destructive device in an attempted violent crime, punishable by up to 30 years in prison; transporting and receiving explosives, punishable by up to 10 years; and attempting to damage and destroy property with fire and explosives, punishable by up to five years.

Assistant public defender Julia Gatto said she was his attorney and requested for Shahzad to be provided Halal meals while in custody.

According to FOX News, authorities said that the ex-budget analyst from Connecticut had voluntarily waived his rights to an initial court appearance while he was cooperating.

Shahzad “has provided valuable intelligence from which further investigative action has been taken,” the U.S. attorney’s office in Manhattan said in a statement Tuesday, the report said. (ANI)