Potential jurors in Fort Dix trial asked about Islam

Potential jurors in the Fort Dix terrorism case have been asked who they think was behind the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the United States and whether they believe that "Islam endorses violence," according to a 41-page jury questionnaire made public yesterday by Judge Robert Kugler, who will preside over the forthcoming trial.

They also were asked if heightened security in the courthouse during the proceedings would unduly influence them, and whether what they had heard or read about the case would affect their ability to render a fair verdict based only on evidence.

The questionnaire, submitted to more than 600 possible jury members this week, was designed to determine whether any pre-existing knowledge, bias or prejudice should preclude them from sitting on the panel.

One section dealt entirely with Islam and included references to Osama bin Laden, al-Qaeda and jihad.

The jurors who are chosen will be asked to determine the fate of five foreign-born Philadelphia-area Muslims charged with plotting a jihad-inspired attack on Fort Dix. Opening arguments are expected this month.

The case is built around audio and videotapes recorded during a 16-month FBI investigation in which two paid informants infiltrated the group.

The defendants are Mohamad Shnewer, 23; Serdar Tatar, 24; and brothers Dritan Duka, 29, Shain Duka, 27, and Eljvir Duka, 24. The Dukas and Shnewer are from Cherry Hill. Tartar is a former Cherry Hill resident who moved to Philadelphia.

They were arrested in a series of coordinated FBI raids in May 2007 and have been held without bail.

Since Monday, each potential jury member has responded to 115 questions in the first phase of the selection process.

They will face individual interviews next week by prosecutors and defense attorneys. The queries will be based in large part on answers provided in the questionnaires.

Twelve jurors and six alternates will be chosen for the trial in U.S. District Court in Camden. Kugler said yesterday he hoped opening arguments could begin on Oct. 20. The trial is expected to last about eight weeks. Court will not be in session on Fridays, Kugler said.

The questionnaire was divided into eight parts.

One section listed names of more than 200 possible witnesses and asked the potential jurors if they or their families had connections to any of them.

Kugler previously ruled that the jurors, all South Jersey residents, would be chosen anonymously for security reasons. At yesterday's hearing, he reiterated his position with veiled references to two security problems that had already arisen.

One, he said, dates back to the arraignment of the five defendants last year. Information about that incident, he said, "remains under seal."

The judge said there was another matter "that caused grave concern" but has not been made public.

Lawyers questioning potential members of the panel will have copies of their completed questionnaires, which include personal information such as age, gender, marital status, employment, education and the town - but not the address - where the possible juror lives.

Among the queries on the questionnaire:

"In private matters, what words do you use to describe someone who practices the Islamic faith?"

"Is there anything about a case where a defendant or witness is Muslim . . . that would make it difficult for you to serve as a fair and impartial juror?"

"Do you believe that Islam endorses violence?"

"Is there anything about Islamic teachings or doctrines that is offensive to you?"

"If you were to hear that one or more of the defendants has expressed negative views of Jewish people, would you hold it against the defendant?"

"If you hear an allegation that any one of the defendants supported or sympathized with Osama bin Laden, al-Qaeda or the Taliban, would you be biased for or against that particular defendant?"

"Who do you think is responsible for the attack of the United States on Sept. 11, 2001?"

The potential jurors also were asked how much they knew about "al-Qaeda," "jihad," "mujahideen" and "fatwa"; if they had ever attended a service at a mosque; and if they ever contributed "money or gifts to an organization that takes a position on Islam or Muslims."

Lawyers in the case will meet Monday in Kugler's fourth-floor courtroom to begin arguments over which jurors, based on their questionnaire answers, should be dismissed. Interviews are set to begin Tuesday.