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Judge: Padilla competent to stand trial on terror charges

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MIAMI, Florida (CNN) -- Suspected al Qaeda operative Jose Padilla is mentally competent to stand trial on terrorism conspiracy charges, a federal judge ruled Wednesday.

After four days of contentious hearings and conflicting testimony, U.S. District Court Judge Marcia Cooke said she is satisfied Padilla is capable to assist in his own defense, even if he chooses not to do so.

A court official said the judge's official order would be made publicly available by Thursday morning.

A government lawyer close to the case, who asked not to be identified, called it "a good order for us," but declined further comment.

The trial is scheduled to begin April 16. Padilla and two other defendants are charged with engaging in conspiracy to support Islamic extremism abroad by seeking to provide money, material and manpower to terrorist groups.

Cooke said she ruled solely on medical testimony about Padilla's current state of mental health. She said the conditions and treatment of Padilla during more than three years of solitary confinement in a Navy brig did not significantly enter into her conclusion.

Separately, the defense has asked Cooke to consider a motion accusing the government of "outrageous" conduct in its treatment of Padilla. That motion and several other pretrial motions are to be settled by the court before the scheduled trial date.

Lawyers in the case said it was uncertain whether the court could meet that target date.

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