Terror Suspect Tells Judge He Is Sick, Sees Ghosts

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- A Somali man accused of helping finance fighters for the terror group al-Shabab has asked a judge to let him out of jail before his trial, saying he has a "sickness of the devil" and needs a traditional healer because he is seeing ghosts.

Mahamud Said Omar made the statements during a routine pretrial hearing Monday. Chief U.S. District Judge Michael Davis denied the request. He said the court is making sure Omar gets the best medical care possible while in custody.

Omar has suffered from seizures and is on medication.

He's been in custody since 2009 and faces trial next week in connection with the government's investigation into the recruitment of at least 21 men who authorities believe left Minnesota to join al-Shabab in Somalia.

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