Arizona man denies knowing about plans for attack beforehand

PHOENIX (AP) — An Arizona man charged with planning an attack on a Prophet Muhammad cartoon contest in Texas took the witness stand Tuesday in his defense, steadfastly denying that he had knowledge that two friends were going to carry out a shooting outside the controversial event.

The 44-year-old moving company owner is accused of hosting friends at his home to discuss plans for the shooting and providing the guns used at the contest.

Kareem is charged with conspiring to provide material support to the Islamic State terrorist group, though it's unknown whether the attack was inspired by the group or carried out in response to an order from it.

Kareem provided his biographical information to jurors, such as having a father who was a police officer in Philadelphia, being raised in a Baptist household and converting to Islam as an adult.