BOSTON -- Richard Reid was given three life sentences plus 110 additional years in prison Thursday as a federal judge here extolled the virtues of American freedom and justice, and the angry terrorist warned the United States that Allah "will give victory to his religion."
As the sentencing hearing ended, with Reid dispatched to spend the rest of his days behind bars, the tall, beefy "shoe bomber" suddenly charged to his feet and, while being forcibly removed from the crowded federal courtroom, shouted one final epithet: He said a "day of judgment" is coming for America.
The heated exchange brought to a close one of this country's most brazen criminal acts in the post-Sept. 11 era, in which the 29-year-old British citizen and Muslim convert had tried to set off two bombs in his sneakers on a trans-Atlantic flight carrying nearly 200 passengers and crew members.
Reid becomes the second high-profile defendant to be sentenced to prison since the World Trade Center and the Pentagon were attacked. But unlike American Taliban soldier John Walker Lindh, who sobbed in sorrow and was given just 20 years, Reid did not go quietly.
Rather, he spoke at some length -- often haughtily -- of his fealty to terrorist figure Osama bin Laden, and he spat out his hatred for an America he said has "raped and tortured" innocent Muslims around the world.
The wrath of the almighty, he foretold, "will give victory to those who believe and he will destroy those who wish to oppress the people because they believe in Allah."
U.S. District Judge William G. Young was not unnerved by Reid; in fact, he mocked him.
"You're a big fellow," the judge said. "But you're not that big. You're no warrior. I know warriors. You are a terrorist. A species of criminal guilty of multiple attempted murders."
The judge then pointed to the American banner flying behind his bench and, his voice rising too, issued his own warning:
"See that flag, Mr. Reid? That's the flag of the United States of America. That flag will fly there long after this is all forgotten. That flag still stands for freedom. You know it always will."
Reid then suddenly leapt to his feet and shook his left fist at the judge.
"Custody!" the judge cried to the courtroom marshals. "Stand him down!"
Four marshals surrounded Reid, grabbing his arms and his back and shoving him toward a side door.
