CHICAGO – A lawyer for a suburban teenager accused of trying to join the Islamic State group has told a federal judge his client isn't dangerous and should be released to get counseling on critical thinking.
Mohammed Hamzah Khan's attorney told a Tuesday hearing in Chicago that a psychiatrist determined Khan isn't mentally ill. Thomas Durkin says it's "more of an issue of education and critical thinking."
Durkin later told reporters the irrationality the 19-year-old displayed in assessing Islamic State is a feature of his age group. He says that "doesn't make them crazy, it just makes them teenagers."
A defense filing also complains Khan has received no counseling "or even a kind word" since his October arrest.
Khan's denied attempting to provide material support to foreign terrorists.
Prosecutors declined comment Tuesday.
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