Prosecutor discuss plea deal in Wrigley bomb case

Associated Press

Federal prosecutors say they have discussed a possible plea deal for a Lebanese immigrant accused of placing a backpack he thought contained a bomb near Chicago’s Wrigley Field last year.

Prosecutors didn’t elaborate when they told Judge Robert Gettleman at a Thursday status hearing in Chicago that they’ve been talking to defense lawyers about resolving the case before it gets to trial.

Sami Samir Hassoun has pleaded not guilty, including to attempted use a weapon of mass destruction. If convicted, he could face life in prison.

Prosecutors accuse the 23-year-old man of taking a fake bomb given to him by undercover FBI agents, then dropping it in a trash bin near the home of the Cubs.

Gettleman set a tentative trial date of Feb. 6.