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A former high school valedictorian accused of joining Al Qaeda and plotting to assassinate President Bush pleaded not guilty Monday in federal court to providing material support to terrorists and other charges.
An Aug. 22 trial date was scheduled for Ahmed Omar Abu Ali, 23, of Falls Church, Va. He was indicted last month and might face 80 years in prison if convicted of the six charges.
Prosecutors say Abu Ali, a U.S. citizen who was valedictorian of his class at an Islamic private school in northern Virginia, joined Al Qaeda while studying overseas in Saudi Arabia.
Defense lawyers filed a motion seeking evaluations to support claims that Abu Ali was tortured in Saudi Arabian custody.
