Two of Sami Al-Hussayen's brothers will be allowed to testify in his trial by videoconference, Judge Edward Lodge ruled this morning. Prosecutors opposed allowing that, but defense attorney David Nevin argued, "Both these men have applied for visas to come to the United States and give their testimony live, but the government has refused."

Lodge said, "The obvious preference, of course, is to have live testimony, but in this case ... they were denied visas. Obviously, that would be a compelling circumstance."

The defense, which is just beginning to present its abbreviated case, also indicated it will call terrorism expert Frank Anderson, and Al-Hussayen's doctoral adviser, retired University of Idaho computer science professor John Dickinson.

Lodge said Dickinson may testify, but not as an expert witness. Nevin said he wants the professor's testimony to refute a claim made by the prosecution in its opening statement that Al-Hussayen's doctoral studies in computer science were "fictitious."

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