Accused Synagogue Plotter Appears in Court

A lawyer for a Queens man charged with participating in a plot to blow up synagogues in New York City says he plans to question the strength of the case. It was brought under a rarely used state terrorism law, not federal laws.

Mohamed Mamdouh's lawyer also noted Tuesday that some cases that begin with sensational allegations fall apart later.

The attorney issued a statement after Mamdouh appeared in court to give prosecutors more time to take the case to a grand jury. He's due back in court June 2.

Co-defendant Ahmed Ferhani did not immediately appear in court Tuesday.

Both have denied the allegations.

Prosecutors say the men were recorded discussing a synagogue attack. They say Ferhani was arrested in a sting buying guns, ammunition and an inert grenade.