The texting acronym LMFAO was explained to a federal jury Tuesday during a New York City terror bomber trial by a witness, the New York Daily News reported in a bit of levity during a very serious case.
Ahmad Khan Rahimi, 29, is on trial in U.S. District Court in Manhattan on eight counts related to his alleged execution and attempted execution of bombings in the Chelsea neighborhood of New York City on Sept. 17, 2016, according to a Southern District of New York U.S. Attorney's Office news release.
One of two pressure cookers allegedly planted by Rahimi injured 30 people, the Daily News reported.
In open court, Peter Calabrese, a paralegal with the Manhattan U.S. Attorney's Office, and assistant U.S. Attorney Shawn Crowley were reading cellphone texts reportedly exchanged between Rahimi and someone named Zobeydh, the newspaper stated.
"Lmfaooo don't wanna' find any time bombs," Calabrese said, reading Zobeydh's line in the text exchange.
"This is not the place to joke," Crowley replied in a line allegedly written by Rahimi, the Daily News said.
Rahimi's attorney Sabrina Shroff then asked Calabrese to explain what "LMFAO" meant.
"Laughing my expletive off," Calabrese said, leaving Shroff to reply, "Come on, we are all New Yorkers here."
"Laughing my f***ing a** off," Calabrese replied over giggles from jurors and the courtroom audience, the Daily News wrote.
Rahimi's trial, though, is no laughing matter. The suspect had to be removed briefly from court last week when he repeatedly spoke out of turn wanting to address a personal issue, angering U.S. District Judge Richard Berman, the New York Post said.
Rahimi claims that federal officials have kept him from seeing his wife and children since he was jailed nearly a year ago, the Post stated.
He was arrested Sept. 19 in Linden, New Jersey, after allegedly shooting at police, striking and injuring multiple police officers before he was shot, according to U.S. Attorney Office statement.
Rahimi is also accused of planting a bomb in Seaside, New Jersey, along the route of the Seaside Semper Five Marine Corps Charity 5K race, which was delayed before it went off, the statement said. He is believed to have planted another bomb inside a backpack at the entrance to the New Jersey Transit station in Elizabeth, New Jersey, which did not go off, the statement continued.
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