John Walker Lindh makes first court appearance

An artist's sketch shows John Walker Lindh appearing in federal court Thursday.

ALEXANDRIA, Virginia (CNN) -- American Taliban soldier John Walker Lindh made his first U.S. court appearance Thursday -- saying he understood the charges that he conspired to kill his fellow Americans in Afghanistan.

When asked by U.S. Magistrate Judge W. Curtis Sewell whether he understood the charges, Walker Lindh responded, "Yes, I do," and when asked if he understood that if convicted he could be sentenced to life in prison, he said, "Yes, I understand."

Walker Lindh, whose hearing lasted about 15 minutes, also told the court he accepts the legal team hired by his parents to defend him. Before the hearing he was allowed to meet with his parents for the first time since returning Wednesday night from Kandahar, Afghanistan.

VIDEO John Walker Lindh's parents, Frank Lindh and Marilyn Walker and attorney James Brosnahan speak to reporters outside a federal courthouse in Alexandria, Virginia (January 24) Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media)   MORE STORIES • Walker charged with murder conspiracy  • Friends, family shocked American was Taliban fighter

John Walker Lindh's mother, Marilyn Walker, said it had been two years since she had seen her son.

"It was wonderful to see him this morning. My love for him is unconditional and absolute, and I am grateful to God that he has been brought home to his family," she said. She and Walker Lindh's father are divorced.

The 20-year-old convert to Islam has gone by the name of John Walker, his mother's last name, but is referred to as John Walker Lindh by court documents and all principals in the case.

Walker Lindh arrived at the courthouse about two hours before the 9 a.m. hearing under tight security.

"We're trying to prepare for every contingency," said John Hackman of the U.S. Marshals Service. "... It may be something from citizens who might not particularly care for Mr. Walker. There's a multitude of threats that we're preparing for."

Looking gaunt, Walker Lindh glanced around the courtroom when he entered, and did not look at his parents during the proceedings, CNN's Susan Candiotti reported.

Walker Lindh will be held at the Alexandria Detention Center until a preliminary hearing set for February 6. During that period, prosecutors may seek a grand jury indictment.

Walker Lindh is charged with four criminal counts: two of providing material support or resources to terrorists organizations, including al Qaeda, one of conspiracy to kill U.S. nationals abroad and one of engaging in transactions with the Taliban, the ousted regime in Afghanistan.

If convicted, he could face life imprisonment. However, Attorney General John Ashcroft has said the United States could seek additional charges that could carry the death penalty.

The criminal complaint alleges Walker Lindh learned this past summer from one of his instructors at a terrorist training camp that Osama bin Laden "had sent people to the United States to carry out several suicide operations." The complaint also alleges Walker Lindh received personal thanks from bin Laden for "taking part in jihad."

Walker Lindh's return to the United States comes two years after he left the country as a teen-ager for Yemen to study Arabic and Islam -- a journey that the U.S. government alleges eventually took him to al Qaeda training camps in Afghanistan.

Left to right: Attorney James Brosnahan and parents Marilyn Walker and Frank Lindh.

Walker Lindh was taken into custody by the U.S. military after a bloody prison uprising, which began November 25 in northern Afghanistan.

His father, Frank Lindh, said he met with his son for 45 minutes before his court appearance.

After leaving the courthouse Lindh told reporters, "John loves America. We love America. John did not do anything against America. John did not take up arms against America. He never meant to harm any American, and he never did harm any American. John is innocent of these charges."