USF students' explosives trial date moved

TAMPA -- Youssef Megahed and Ahmed Mohamed won't stand trial on federal explosives charges until at least March, a federal judge ruled today.

Defense attorneys and prosecutors indicated they weren't prepared to go to trial on Monday, the date U.S. District Judge Steven Merryday had it scheduled.

John Fitzgibbons, who represents Mohamed, 26, said he participated in a telephone conference today with U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark Pizzo who granted a request to have the trial date moved.

An official order from the court setting a new date has yet to be entered.

On Thursday, Merryday denied a request from Megahed, 21, who wanted his trial apart from Mohamed's.

Assistant federal public defender Adam Allen, who represents Megahed, argued that an Aug. 29 indictment against the men did not charge them with a conspiracy. Both men are accused of illegally transporting explosive materials.

The suspended University of South Florida students were arrested Aug. 4 after a deputy stopped them for speeding near a South Carolina naval base. He searched their car after deciding that they were suspicious.

Only Mohamed faces an additional charge of demonstrating how to make or use a destructive device. Prosecutors said they found a video on his laptop, narrated by Mohamed, where he shows how to make a remote control detonator.

Allen said that the terrorism implications in the second charge that Mohamed faces could prejudice Megahed's case. A jury might convict Megahed for his mere association with Mohamed, Allen said.

Also today, Allen filed a motion with the court asking Merryday to reconsider his ruling that the two men stand trial together.

Megahed and Mohamed remain in jail with no bond.

-Kevin Graham, Times staff writer