There's still a lot unknown about the federal terrorism case against Alexander Ciccolo, and the 25-year-old's decision to plead guilty Monday in exchange for a 20-year prison sentence.
Ciccolo now acknowledges plotting to attack an unnamed state university, which prosecutors have said is outside Massachusetts.
"You know, I'm really not sure why the government hasn't revealed that," David Hoose, Ciccolo's attorney, told reporters after the plea hearing. "But since they haven't revealed it, I don't think I'm going to reveal it."
Prosecutors have also not publicly identified the "cooperating witness" the FBI "arranged" to meet Ciccolo. That witness is central to the government's case, taking part in recorded conversations with Ciccolo and giving him guns.
Hoose on Monday said his client no longer supports ISIS, but would not say when that shifted.
"You know, I'd rather not get into details about that," he said.
Hoose also would not say if Ciccolo had any communication -- perhaps a letter -- with the nurse he stabbed ten times in the head with a pen. The nurse was administering a tuberculosis test to Ciccolo at the Franklin County jail.
"I can't comment on that," the lawyer said.
Hoose said Ciccolo recognized the plea deal was the best way to resolve the charges, but as for whether he feels remorse?
"I'm not going to answer questions like that," he said, adding that the time for those statements is the sentencing hearing on September 5.
That's when Judge Mark Mastroianni will consider whether to accept the plea deal.
