Soldier to represent self at sentencing

WACO, Texas (AP) - An AWOL soldier convicted of planning to blow up a restaurant full of Fort Hood soldiers will represent himself when he's sentenced next month.

Army Pfc. Naser Jason Abdo told U.S. District Judge Walter Smith during a Thursday hearing in Waco, Texas, that he and his attorneys weren't communicating effectively. Smith granted Abdo's request to represent himself at his Aug. 10 sentencing.

Abdo faces up to life in prison. He was convicted in May on six federal charges, including attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction.

Abdo was AWOL from Fort Campbell, Ky., when he was arrested last summer at a Fort Hood-area motel with bomb-making materials.

As during his trial, Abdo was forced to wear a mask Thursday to prevent him from spitting on marshals.