American sentenced to 35 years for role in 2008 terrorism attacks in Mumbai

MICHAEL TARM 
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

In this courtroom drawing, David Coleman Headley faces U.S. District Court Judge Harry Leinenweber on March 18, 2010 in Chicago, Ill. Headley pleaded guilty to using his Western appearance as a cover while scoping out sites for the deadly Mumbai attacks in 2008 and plotting to kill a Danish cartoonist. Carol Renaud/AFP/Getty Images

CHICAGO — A U.S. judge has imposed a 35-year prison sentence for an American who played a key role in the 2008 terrorist attack on Mumbai, India, that killed more than 160 people.

David Coleman Headley conducted meticulous scouting missions before 10 gunmen carried out the devastating assault often called India’s 9/11.

The 52-year-old was sentenced Thursday on 12 counts. Those included conspiracy to aid the Pakistani group Lashkar-e-Taiba, which mounted the attacks on the landmark Taj Mahal Hotel and other targets.

The maximum sentence was life in prison. Headley pleaded guilty and co-operated to avoid the death penalty and extradition to India.

Headley was born Daood Gilani to a Pakistani father and American mother. He changed his name in 2006 to travel more easily to and from India.

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Tags: 2008 terrorist attack, David Coleman Headley, India’s 9/11, Lashkar-e-Taiba, Mumbai