Facing jail for staying mum in '08 bombing case
An Occupy Wall Street activist and self-described anarchist is expected to face jailing for civil contempt next week after refusing to testify Thursday before a federal grand jury investigating the 2008 bombing of a Times Square military recruitment center.
Gerald Koch, 24, is not suspected of the bombing and has been offered immunity, his attorney said, but is refusing to testify because he thinks Manhattan federal prosecutors will use the grand jury in a fishing expedition to gather intelligence about his political associations.
"He has no information whatsoever about who was the bomber. . . . This is a matter of principle for him to defend the rights he has of freedom of association and speech," said the attorney, Susan Tipograph.
The March 2008 bombing occurred late at night. There were no casualties. After refusing to testify Thursday, Koch appeared before U.S. District Judge John Keenan, who closed the courtroom. After about an hour, the hearing was adjourned until Tuesday.
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Get ready for sun and fun with NewsdayTV's summer FunBook special! From celebrating America's 250th birthday to a new ride at Adventureland, NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano and Newsday lifestyle editor Meghan Giannotta have your inside look at Newsday's summer FunBook.
