Judge: Islamic law no role in airline attack case

DETROIT (AP) — A judge has denied a Nigerian man’s request to be judged by Islamic law as he defends himself against charges of trying to blow up a Detroit-bound airliner on Christmas 2009.

Federal Judge Nancy Edmunds made her decision at the start of a hearing on evidence Wednesday. Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab expressed disappointment and said the Islamic holy book, the Quran, should govern.

Abdulmutallab is charged with trying to detonate a bomb in his underwear.

He wants incriminating statements thrown out. He says he wasn’t given his Miranda rights while being treated for burns at the University of Michigan hospital.

Nurse Julia Longenecker testified that Abdulmutallab was given a painkiller, but after he was treated she was ordered to stop providing medicine. She doesn’t know who ordered it.