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BY EMILY SPAIN

You're watching multisource U.S. news analysis from Newsy.


A Nigerian man admitted Wednesday in federal court to trying to blow up Northwest Flight 253 with a bomb hidden in his underwear.  MSNBC reports Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab is now pleading guilty to the eight counts against him.

“Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab’s attorney surprised the court in the second day of the trial with that announcement of a guilty plea. The judges reviewing the charge could possibly look at penalties with Abdulmutallab in court. Abdulmutallab could spend the rest of his life in prison.”

Abdulmutallab -- known as the “underwear bomber” -- is accused of trying to blow-up a Detroit-bound plane with nearly 300 passengers on board. In court, the 24-year-old called the bomb a “blessed weapon” and is currently representing himself.

Here’s what his stand-by attorney told CBS News about the plea change:

“His demeanor was very peaceful. I’m sure that he prayed with regard to his situation and made what he considered to be the most informed decision.”

CBS Radio News chief legal analyst Andrew Cohen said in an article from CBS that Abdulmutallab’s plea change didn’t shock him.

"This isn't a terrible surprise because he had no legitimate legal defense," Cohen said. "All those witnesses on the plane saw what he did, and there was a confession as well. And the judge clearly wasn't going to let him put on a political defense."

A writer for the Guardian notes that Abdulmutallab’s guilty plea to counts including attempted murder and attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction stunned the court room -- and will change the course of the trial.

“Pleading guilty dodged a lengthy terror trial, but also allowed Abdulmutallab the opportunity to address the court. Dressed in a black jacket and a brown tunic, he gave out a five-minute statement in which he explained that he wanted to carry out the attack to protest against US and Israeli policy towards Muslims.”

The Wall Street Journal notes - the plea was not because of a deal offered by prosecutors.
And adds these remarks from Abdulmutallab:

“While pleading guilty to the charges—two of which carry mandatory life prison sentences—Mr. Abdulmutallab repeatedly said, "I'm guilty under U.S. law, but not under the Koran," according to two witnesses.”

Abdulmutallab says his actions were in response to “U.S. wreckage of Muslim lands and property.” According to the Wall Street Journal, prosecutors say the underwear bomber is scheduled to be sentenced in January.

Transcript by Newsy.