A district judge dismissed all charges against three of the five individuals allegedly involved in the death of a child that authorities found at a “jihadi” compound in New Mexico.
Lucas Morton, Subhanna Wahhaj and Hujrah Wahhaj were charged with child abuse after authorities found the remains of the 3-year-old in August. The child, who lived in Georgia, was reported missing by his mother months earlier, reported KOAT Action News.
Additional charges stem from 11 other children who were found at the compound in squalid conditions. At least one of the children was being taught to handle firearms in preparation of a mass shooting, according to The Washington Post. The state maintains that the compound was being used as a training center for children, with the intention of attacking schools, governmental buildings and law enforcement facilities.
District Judge Emilio Chavez dropped all of the charges against Morton, Subhanna Wahhaj and Hujrah Wahhaj after appearing in court on Wednesday because the state failed to indict them within the allotted 10-day window.(RELATED: Remains Of Child Found At New Mexico ‘Jihadi’ Compound Are Confirmed To Be Missing Boy From Georgia)
Fellow district judge Sarah Backus received backlash after she allowed the defendants to be released on a signature bond. In her decision, Backus accused prosecutors of discriminating against Muslims.
The remaining two suspects, Siraj Ibn Wahhaj and Jany Leveille, are still awaiting a preliminary hearing.
This story is developing and will be updated.
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