The case touches on a common challenge to police: proving intent to commit a crime without infringing on free speech rights.

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However, the judge said the prosecution must show that Mr Khadr had had intent to commit a crime, and he told jurors they could consider his age in making their decision.

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The focus of the three-week trial had hinged on whether Mr. Pride, who has a lengthy criminal record, fired a 9mm handgun with the intent to murder a police officer, a crime that carries a sentence of life without the possibility of parole.

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This should serve as a deterrent to those intent on breaking the law and hoping to profit from their crime.

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Can criminal intent be proved, for example, in a person who commits a crime while sleepwalking as the result of medication?

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Congress quickly acted with a new proposal, the Stolen Valor Act, which would make it a crime to lie about military service or make false claims about receiving military medals with the intent of benefiting from those claims.

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