26/11: Rana's trial to resume on June 6

Chicago: The trial of Pakistani-Canadian Tahawwur Rana, during which co-accused in the Mumbai attacks David Headley testified that Pakistan's ISI was linked to the 2008 terror strikes, will resume in a court in Chicago on June 6 and the jury may come up with a verdict as early as Wednesday.

The trial will resume with testimonies from Rana's witnesses among others. The last of the witnesses will be presented on Monday. The trial, which started on May 16 and was supposed to last till June 15, had been going faster than expected.

If convicted, Rana faces a possible life sentence. US District Court Judge Harry D Leinenweber said the case had proceeded quickly partly because both the government and defence had no problems with the stipulation.

A stipulation is an agreement between opposing parties prior to a pending hearing or trial when both parties agree on certain aspects on which they do not argue. "We're fairly close to the end of the case," Leinenweber said during the last hearing.

Final arguments will take place on Tuesday and deliberations are scheduled for the same day. The jury will deliberate after weighing in the pros and

cons and given information and arguments to evaluate. The jury could come up with a verdict whether Rana is guilty or not as early as Wednesday.

Rana's attorney Charlie Swift said two witnesses from the government's side will be presented . "We have no obligation even to put up a case. Defence can

put up a case if we choose to do so," he said.

Defence will decide if it wants to make a case at the end of the government's case. Rana has no obligation to testify," Swift told PTI after the last hearing on June 2.

"I would expect the case will end next week and will go to jury for deliberations and the jury will answer," he said. Jurors must reach a unanimous decision until they reach a verdict. Deliberations by jurors are held behind close doors. "There will be three to four defence witnesses on Monday

(tomorrow)," US Attorney's Office spokesperson Randall Samborn said.

The government must prove that Rana is guilty beyond reasonable doubt to convict him. Rana was indicted by a federal grand jury under 12 counts on February 15 last year for planning out the Mumbai attacks, providing material support to LeT to carry out the bombings, and guiding Headley in scouting targets in Mumbai in the process.

Rana, on the other hand, said that he was duped by Headley, who has pleaded guilty to scouting sites in Mumbai.