Skinhead in Obama plot wants charges dropped

updated 2:33 p.m. ET Nov. 13, 2008

MEMPHIS, Tennessee - A white supremacist charged with plotting to kill President-elect Barack Obama wants his indictment dismissed, arguing the federal grand jury that charged him had too many black members.

Daniel Cowart, 20, of rural West Tennessee and Paul Schlesselman, 18, of Arkansas, face charges including threatening a presidential candidate and taking firearms across state lines to commit crimes.

Authorities say the pair plotted a killing spree where they would murder dozens of black people, including Obama.

Cowart's lawyer filed a petition Thursday seeking to have his client's indictment dismissed.

It argues the 23-member grand jury that returned the indictment had just two white members and could not have been fair and impartial.

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