Trial of Accused Synagogue Bombers to Resume; Judge Says Defendant Faked Mental Illness

A judge says a defendant has been faking mental illnesses, causing a two-day delay in the trial of four men from Newburgh accused of plotting to bomb New York City synagogues and upstate military airplanes.

Federal Judge Colleen McMahon ordered the trial to resume Thursday, after hearing a prison psychologist testify about one of the the accused men, Laguerre Payen. The psychologist says Payen's claims of hallucinations were "very unlikely."

Payen was brought to court in a padded wheelchair, where at times he appeared to sleep or nod his head from side to side. It's not clear whether the trial will continue with or without Payen.

Lawyers for the other defendants say they'd like him removed from the courtroom so that a mistrial could not occur if he acts up.