New York
U.S. says bin Laden’s name belongs in terrorism trial
NEW YORK – Osama bin Laden’s name should not be banned from the terrorism trial of an Egyptian Islamic preacher despite claims by defense lawyers that it would be prejudicial toward their client, the government has told a federal judge.
Federal prosecutors said in court papers filed Friday in U.S. District Court that references to the deceased founder of al-Qaida will not be prejudicial or inflammatory and are important to explaining the case against Mustafa Kamel Mustafa to the jury.
They said that Mustafa is charged with conspiring to provide or providing material support to al-Qaida and said the fact that bin Laden was the leader of the group at the time “is plainly relevant.”
Mustafa was extradited to the U.S. from Great Britain in October to face charges that he conspired with Seattle men to set up a terrorist training camp at a ranch in Bly, Ore.
Eastwood says he’d love to be directing at age 105
NEW YORK – Clint Eastwood may be 82 years old, but he dreams of making films for two more decades.
In a wide-ranging interview Saturday about film directing at the Tribeca Film Festival, Eastwood said he admires the 104-year-old Portuguese director Manoel de Oliveira.
“It would be great to be 105 and still making films,” Eastwood said. He laughed and called such a hope “the ultimate optimism.”
The “Million Dollar Baby” and “Unforgiven” director joined fellow filmmaker Darren Aronofsky for a staged conversation at the New York film festival after a screening of Richard Schickel’s documentary “Eastwood Directs: The Untold Story.”
Zach Braff raises $2M on Kickstarter in 3 days
NEW YORK – Zach Braff has met his goal on Kickstarter, raising $2 million in three days to fund his follow-up to “Garden State.”
The actor-director’s crowd-funding campaign comes after Rob Thomas’ wildly successful use of Kickstarter to finance a movie of the defunct TV series “Veronica Mars.” Thomas pulled in $2 million in less than a day, eventually gathering more than $5.7 million in 30 days.
But some observers have criticized Hollywood stars for using the Kickstarter website to dip into the pockets of their loyal fans. Braff has said this is the only way for him to direct his first film since “Garden State” with final cut and his desired casting.
After passing his goal Saturday, the “Scrubs” star said on Twitter: “I will not let you down. Let’s go make a killer movie.”
Washington, D.C.
Breyer has shoulder surgery after bike accident
WASHINGTON – Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer is in a Washington hospital after shoulder-replacement surgery following a bicycle accident.
Court spokeswoman Kathy Arberg said the 74-year-old Breyer is expected to make a full recovery after Saturday’s operation.
Breyer injured his right shoulder in a fall Friday near the Korean War Veterans Memorial.
Associated Press
