Ore. terror suspect pleads not guilty

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The Somali-born man accused in a car bomb plot at a crowded Christmas tree lighting pleaded not guilty Monday as his lawyer suggested that government agents had groomed the teenager and timed his arrest for publicity.

Mohamed Osman Mohamud spoke little during the 15-minute hearing, only answering, "Yes, your honor," when asked by the judge if he understood his rights. He wore a pale blue shirt and dark pants, and was shackled at the legs.

Judge John Acosta said Mohamud would remain in custody, and the judge set a tentative trial date for February.

Meanwhile, Mohamud's lawyer, public defender Stephen Sady, hinted that he would explore a defense based on entrapment. He focused on the FBI's failed attempt to record a first conversation between Mohamud and an FBI undercover operative that resulted in a months-long sting operation and Mohamud's arrest on Friday.

An FBI affidavit said that Mohamud talked of "putting stuff in a car, parking it by a target, and detonating it" at the July 30 meeting at a downtown Portland hotel. It also said that the undercover agent was equipped with audio recording equipment but it didn't work, for reasons the affidavit left unexplained.

"In the cases involving potential entrapm