Fatal Convictions

47

On Thursday morning, Alex received a frantic call from Khalid.

“They’ve got a search warrant for the mosque,” his client said. Alex could hear loud voices in the background. “They’ve already taken my work computer.”

Alex pictured the cops ransacking the mosque, emptying out Khalid’s drawers and filing cabinets, creating the same mess they had at the imam’s house. “Get the officer in charge and give him your phone,” Alex said.

“It’s Detective Brown,” Khalid said.

A few minutes later, Khalid was back on the line. “She said she can’t speak to you now.”

“Sit tight and don’t touch anything. I’m coming over.”

Before he left his office, Alex told his grandmother to call the local television stations. Perhaps Alex could gain a little sympathy for his client.***

Alex stood next to Khalid Mobassar on the steps of the Islamic Learning Center and faced the two camera crews who had bothered to show up. The wind was blowing hard, and a slight drizzle had started. But Alex ignored the conditions.

“If separation of church and state means anything, it means the police cannot storm into your church or mosque and confiscate your computers and financial records. Yet that’s exactly what they did here. If this had happened at a Baptist church, the moral outrage would be deafening. Why should it be any different at a Muslim place of worship?”

Alex paused and reminded himself to keep it short. Sound bites, not lectures. “I’ll be filing a motion to suppress any evidence the police might try to use from this unconstitutional raid. The Free Exercise of Religion clause is no respecter of faiths.”

He turned toward his client. “I’m going to ask Mr. Mobassar to show you the inside of the mosque and the complete lack of respect shown by the police officers who conducted the search.”

Later, Alex’s little press conference would be broadcast around the world. The most disturbing footage included video of Khalid’s office, where the Qur’an had been tossed on the floor.

The Muslim community reacted with outrage, calling on the federal government to intervene. Legal experts accused Alex of playing “the Qur’an card.” They expressed concern about security at Khalid’s trial.

Harry Dent wasted no time getting Alex on the phone. The head deacon got right to the point. “I can’t believe you’re trying to get this guy off on a technicality. My phone’s been ringing off the hook all day. If you’re going to stay on this case, it’s time for you to step down as our pastor.”

Alex had been getting kicked around all day by complete strangers. He didn’t need his own deacons piling on.

“The Constitution is hardly a technicality,” Alex said, his tone every bit as strident as Dent’s. “As for stepping down, that won’t happen unless the congregation votes me out.”