A jury has begun hearing opening statements at the trial of four men charged with trying to blow up New York synagogues and shoot down military planes.
James Cromitie, Onta Williams, David Williams and Laguerre Payen have pleaded not guilty to charges they engaged in a conspiracy to use weapons of mass destruction and conspiracy to acquire and use anti-aircraft missiles to kill U.S. officers and employees.
The men were arrested last year after an informant infiltrated the plot. They face possible life prison terms if convicted.
A prosecutor, Adam Hickey, began giving the government's opening statement Tuesday morning in federal court in Manhattan. He said the defendants "were prepared to go all the way through with their destructive and murderous plans."
