Four convicted in NY synagogue plot

A New York jury has found four men guilty of a plot to bomb a synagogue and shoot down military planes. Defense attorneys tried to convince the jury that their clients would never have had anything to do with the plot if a government informant hadn't plied them with promises of money. It took a jury of six women and six men eight days to decide otherwise and convict the men of nearly all the counts against them. They found James Cromitie and David Williams guilty on all the counts, including conspiracy and attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction. The two other defendants, Onta Williams and LaGuerre Payen, were convicted of seven of the eight counts. Sentencing was set for March 24, when the defendants could face up to life in prison. No one was ever in danger as a result of the plot. But the defendants "thought this was real–real bombs, real missiles–every step of the way," Assistant U.S. Attorney David Raskin said during closing arguments. The explosives and missiles were all provided by law enforcement and were duds. Afterward, U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara in a statement called homegrown terrorism a "serious threat" and added: "We are safer today as a result of these convictions." He said the defendants agreed to plant bombs and use missiles "they thought were very real weapons of terrorism." Defense lawyers said they will appeal.