Musician Gets 15 Years In Terrorism Case

A jazz musician who pledged to teach martial arts to Al Qaeda members was sentenced to 15 years in prison yesterday by a judge who said it didn't matter that no Al Qaeda members were actually involved in the case.

Tarik Shah, a 44-year-old martial arts expert, was sentenced by a U.S. District Judge, Loretta Preska, after he pleaded guilty in the spring, admitting that he conspired to provide material support to Al Qaeda.

Shah was the third of four defendants to be sentenced for his role in a conspiracy to aid terrorist groups abroad.

Shah's lawyers said he should get leniency because the plot originated when a government informant enlisted him to help Al Qaeda, taking him away from an otherwise law-abiding life.