WILLIAMSPORT — Knowledge of the Islamic state of Iraq and al-Sham, also known as ISIS, could be a factor in jury selection for a federal inmate accused of a terrorist attack on an Allenwood Federal Prison guard in 2020.
The prosecuting and defense attorneys on Monday asked U.S. Middle District Judge Matthew W. Brann to allow prospective jurors for the trial of Abdulrahman el Bahnasawy to be questioned about whether their knowledge of ISIS would prevent them from being impartial.
Bahnasawy is scheduled to stand trial next month, accused of stabbing Dale Franquet Jr. in the eye with a 14.5-inch-long shank on Dec. 7, 2020, and assaulting a female corrections officer who came to his aid.
The attack, which was captured on video, occurred as Franquet was walking down the “range” after unloc