'Jihad Jane' Set To Be Sentenced
By Tony Hanson
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The Montgomery County woman and admitted terrorist, who called herself "Jihad Jane", is scheduled to be sentenced today in federal court.
Prosecutors are seeking a sentence of decades in prison for the 50-year-old defendant, instead of the formal life sentence.
In a sentencing memorandum, federal prosecutors concede Colleen LaRose deserves credit for her significant cooperation which led to charges against two others and other valuable information.
But they say she should spend decades in prison for her venomous plot.
According to prosecutors, LaRose, a lonely and isolated woman, transformed into an on-line extremist, and then to real-world assassin.
She plotted and travelled to Europe to kill a Swedish artist, although it was not carried out.
The defense, citing LaRose's neglect and severe abuse as a child, says it's more trauma than any child should have to endure, and suggesting her terror plans were more aspirational than operational, contends the sentence should not be much more than five years in prison.
Her co-defendant, Jamie Paulin Ramirez, who also pleaded guilty, is scheduled to be sentenced on Wednesday.
Two men were charged as a result of LaRose's cooperation.
One has pleaded guilty while the other remains in custody in Ireland as he fights extradition.