Suspect’s family speaks about hate crime at mosque

The man accused of firebombing a local mosque pleaded not guilty Thursday as his family apologizes to the mosque for the incident.

Prosecutors charged Carl James Dial with arson, burglary and a hate crime in the fire at the Islamic Society of the Coachella Valley on Friday.

Members of Dial’s family spoke to News Channel 3 and CBS Local 2 before the court hearing Wednesday. They said they continues to have a hard time believing he could do something like this.

John Dial said his brother is not political, a racist or even religious, but does battle with depression.

“He didn’t do this because he was a terrorist. He did this because he just wanted to end his life,” said Jeanette Dial, Dial’s sister-in-law.

Carl James Dial appeared calm in court as his appointed attorney entered a plea of not guilty to the charges against him.

His parents, also in court, asked the public to help find a defense attorney.

“He’s innocent until proven guilty in a court of law and I would like a request to the public for a defense attorney pro-bono,” said John Dial Sr.

John Dial told us his brother moved in with him and his wife to try and turn his life around.

“The opportunity was there for him to be successful to make a life for himself and he squandered it,” said John Dial.

“I want to believe he is not a terrorist. I do believe he was depressed and he was sick. He lived with us for a while, he didn’t want to do anything,” said Jeanette Dial.

“He tried his best to go to school, we tried our best to give him a future. I don’t think he saw the potential that he had,” she said.

Dial’s brother told us Carl isn’t influenced easily politically.

“He made fun of everybody. He made fun of Trump, he made fun of Sanders, he made fun of all of them. He was as independent as they came,” said John Dial.

Dial also said he wasn’t religious or racist like many people speculated is the motivation behind the crime.

“He never came off to me as a bigot or a hateful person other than little jokes here and there. There was never a time I felt disgusted by what he said,” said Dial.

The family still holds out hope Carl Dial’s involvement in Friday’s attack at the mosque may be a misunderstanding.

“We are still pressing that he is innocent until proven guilty, but if he did do it he needs to face the consequences,” said Dial.

Regardless of his involvement his family has a message for the Islamic Society of the Coachella Valley.

“This is no a representation of what my family and I believe. This is not something that should have happened. on behalf of everybody in my family we are very very sorry,” said Dial.

Dial’s father reached out to the mosque through a friend.

If convicted, he faces up to 11 years, and 4 months in prison. He is expected in court again after the holidays.