Defense in Bomb Case Wants Trump Voters in Jury Pool

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) – Attorneys for three men accused of plotting to bomb an apartment complex housing Somali refugees have urged a federal judge to include prospective jurors from rural western Kansas because they are more likely to have voted for President Donald Trump.

But the government countered that granting the request would as a matter of policy “wreak havoc.” Prosecutors say the defense is seeking to pick a jury pool based on ideology, while “opening a dangerous door” to similar requests in other cases.

U.S. District Judge Eric Melgren took the matter under consideration after a hearing Wednesday in Kansas.

Gavin Wright, Patrick Stein and Curtis Allen are charged with conspiracy to use a weapon of mass destruction and conspiracy against civil rights for allegedly planning to detonate truck bombs in Garden City.