The first full day of testimony in the sentencing hearing of former West Peoria resident of Ali al–Marri has wrapped up.

The hearing for the former Al–Qaida sleeper agent is taking place in Federal Courthouse in Peoria.

Defense attorneys for Ali al–Marri are challenging a statement from a psychologist who met with him several times when he was in custody in South Carolina.

Doctor Debra Sirratt says she spent more than a 1000 hours talking to al–Marri. In making her assessment, Sirratt says it is likely that al–Marri could engage in future hostile action against the United States.

Defense Larry Lustburg called the statement an extreme allegation that the court heard for the first time Wednesday. Lustburg pressed Dr. Sirratt for evidence to support her conclusion.

Sirratt referred to her experience doing similar assessments on prisoners at Guantanamo Bay and could not go into detail.

She adds that al–Marri made statements calling Americas and Jews infidels who should be killed.

Federal Judge Michael Mihm called abreak and told defense attorneys that when court resumed that the hearing would not be delayed to argue the legality over Sirratt's statements.

Al–marri is facing 15–years in prison for conspiracy to provide materials to Al–Qaida. Prosecutors want the maximum and defense attorneys want credit for the time served, which is nearly 8 years.

The sentencing hearing continues on Thursday.