'Underwear bomber' can represent himself

DETROIT, Aug. 18 (UPI) -- Umar Faroud Abdulmutallab, accused of trying to blow up an airplane over Detroit Christmas Day 2009, is competent to act as his own attorney, a judge ruled.

U.S. District Judge Nancy Edmunds announced her ruling Wednesday after asking Abdulmutallab if he understood the charges, legal procedures and possible penalties, The Detroit News reported.

A trial is set for Oct. 4.

Charges against Abdulmutallab include conspiracy to commit an act of terrorism, attempted murder inside an aircraft, taking a bomb on board a plane and attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction. He is accused of concealing explosive chemicals in his underwear and trying to detonate them as a Northwest Airlines flight from Amsterdam approached Detroit Metropolitan Airport. He was subdued by passengers and members of the flight's crew.

Questions about Abdulmutallab's ability to defend himself arose after the terror suspect's legal adviser asked the judge for the hearing.

Abdulmutallab fired his legal team last year and said he did not authorize the request.

"That's counterproductive to what I even want," Abdulmutallab said.

Federal prosecutors sought Wednesday's hearing because they said the legal adviser acted against Abdulmutallab's wishes, the Detroit Free Press reported. Prosecutors said they were trying to protect against a possible appeal by the defendant on the grounds that his request to represent himself wasn't honored.

The judge also heard complaints about jail accommodations made by Abdulmutallab, who said he has been denied access to a radio and news magazines, unlike other inmates.

Edmunds said she would order prison officials to honor Abdulmutallab's request to obtain materials to prepare for the trial. She said she would encourage officials to let him have a radio if they are available to other prisoners.