After years of delays in the case of the Scottsdale bombing of city official Don Logan, the federal trial for the Illinois twins accused of sending the explosive package finally began on Tuesday, reports the Associated Press.
A jury was chosen this week and opening statements were set to go on Thursday in the trial of suspected bombers Dennis and Daniel Mahon.
The 61-year-old Mahons, allegedly white supremacists, are accused of sending a bomb to Logan, Scottsdale's black diversity director, in 2004. The package injured his hand and arm and hurt a secretary. The Mahons were arrested in 2009 on suspicion of conspiracy to damage buildings and property by means of explosive. Dennis Mahon also received the additional charges of malicious damage of a building by means of explosive and distribution of information related to explosives.
Conspiracy to damage buildings and property by means of explosive is a federal felony, punishable by up to ten years in prison. Malicious damage of a building by means of explosive is punishable by a minimum of 5 years and a maximum of 20 years in prison.
"That someone would come to Arizona and launch an attack simply because my skin color is different from theirs, simply because of hate ... is unconscionable," said Logan shortly after Daniel Mahon's arrest.
The long delay in bringing the case to trial has been blamed on the extensive amount of evidence both sides have had to sift through. The evidence reportedly includes years of video and audio recordings between the Mahons and an undercover female government informant, according to the Associated Press.
With such serious charges against them, the Mahons have several criminal defense attorneys representing them. If you have been charged with a crime, you should also consider consulting the services of an experienced criminal defense attorney. If you cannot afford one, a public defender will be appointed to you by the court.
In such a high-profile case like this one, some private attorneys may also offer their services pro bono. For more information on your right to representation in criminal trials, please see our Related Resources section.
Related Resources:
- Find a Phoenix Criminal Defense Attorney (FindLaw)
- Trial Opens for Mahon Twins, White Supremacists Accused in Arizona Bombing (Southern Poverty Law Center)
- Your Rights: The Right to Counsel (FindLaw)
- Pamela Phillips Pleads Not Guilty in Car Bomb Case (Phoenix Criminal Law News)
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