Federal judge takes nuanced approach in U.S. terrorism cases

July 31, 2015 at 4:15 a.m. | Updated July 31, 2015 at 3:56 a.m.

by Associated Press

In this photo taken July 8, 2015, U.S. District Judge Michael Davis poses in his chambers in his Minneapolis chambers. Davis, who became chief judge of the Minnesota district in 2008, and recently stepped down from that post, will turn 68 later this month, but hasn’t said whether he’ll reduce his caseload. Several men and women have been prosecuted on terror charges in Minnesota since 2009, and all of them have eventually landed in front of Davis. (AP Photo/Jeff Baenen)
In this photo taken July 8, 2015, U.S. District Judge Michael Davis poses in his chambers in his Minneapolis chambers. Davis, who became chief judge of the Minnesota district in 2008, and recently stepped down from that post, will turn 68 later this month, but hasn’t said whether he’ll reduce his caseload. Several men and women have been prosecuted on terror charges in Minnesota since 2009, and all of them have eventually landed in front of Davis. (AP Photo/Jeff Baenen)

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - A federal judge in Minnesota is taking a nuanced approach to cases in which several young men are accused of conspiring to join the Islamic State group.

Most judges in such cases around the country reflexively lock up terror suspects because of the potential risk.

But U.S. District Judge Michael Davis is considering pretrial release for some. He's asking defense attorneys to come up with plans that include religious counseling and mentoring to ensure the public's safety.

Davis' actions could become a model - or prove disastrous if he takes a risk on the wrong person.

Former federal prosecutor Anders Folk says Davis doesn't see terrorism cases as black and white and knows "there's a lot of grey."

Davis said recently that reintegration plans are a worthy goal.

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