[JURIST] US District Judge Gerald Bruce Lee watched a videotaped confession Tuesday where Ahmed Omar Abu Ali [PDF indictment], accused of plotting to assassinate President Bush, said that he was motivated by hatred of American support for Israel. Lee is currently considering a defense motion to throw out the confession; Abu Ali's lawyers say the confession was the product of torture [JURIST report] at the hands of Saudi interrogators. Lee said he wanted to see the tape in order to observe Abu Ali's demeanor. The taped confession is 13 minutes long, and at several points Abu Ali yawned and laughed to himself. Lee is expected to continue to hold hearings on the validity of the confession into next week. Abu Ali, a US citizen, faces charges of conspiracy to assassinate the president, conspiracy to commit aircraft piracy and contributing services to al Qaeda. AP has more.

Previously in JURIST's Paper Chase…

• DOJ says US student planned Bush assassination plot
• Federal judge orders al Qaeda suspect to produce evidence in Saudi torture claim
• Bush assassination plot suspect allegedly tortured by Saudis
• Federal judge says Bush plot suspect can be examined for signs of torture
• Man accused of plotting Bush assassination pleads not guilty
• Attorneys seek release of alleged Bush assassination plotter
• Man charged with plotting to assassinate President Bush