The men are hoping a judge will free them on bond, but it is unlikely that will happen because according to court filings, the case involves classified material that impacts national security.
FBI Special Agent Michael Sutton took the stand for more than an hour Tuesday and answered questions from the prosecution. Sutton detailed never before heard information about the ongoing investigation.
He testified that agents recovered a text message from the Boyds' home last week stating, "Fatwa urging Jihad against Americans."
In the Islamic faith, fatwa is a religious opinion concerning Islamic law issued by an Islamic scholar. A fatwa does not have to be binding like law. Fatwa covers social and political issues and jihad. If a fatwa does not break new ground, then it is simply called a ruling.
To learn more about this term, click here.
Several taped recordings were also played in court Tuesday morning. One of the recordings was from inside the Boyd home on the afternoon of June 26, 2009.
Prosecutors say Daniel Boyd, Dylan Boyd, Sabrina Boyd, Zakiraya Boyd and Noah Boyd and at least two others were at the home during that conversation. Prosecutors described one of the voices on the tape to the court as the voice of Daniel Boyd.
Dylan, Zakiraya and Noah are all sons of Daniel and Sabrina Boyd.
Daniel Boyd is heard on the recording saying, "The blood of the Muslims has become cheap because most of the Muslims have abandoned Jihad. I love Jihad. I love to stand there and fight for the sake of Allah."
Special Agent Sutton told the court that he heard Daniel Boyd on that same recording say that he couldn't meet in a normal mosque because his violent beliefs are not welcome there.
It became clear during Tuesday's testimony that the FBI agents had confidential informants and witnesses and that the Boyd home was bugged.
Some other interesting facts that were revealed include a money transaction. Sutton said after the arrests, authorities found $13,000 cash in the Boyd home. Agents also found a receipt inside Dylan Boyd's car for a bank deposit of $16,000 on July 21, 2009.
The men are charged with supporting terrorists and planning a violent jihad overseas.
Special Agent Sutton said that Daniel Boyd told investigators that he traveled to Pakistan in the late 1980s to fight alongside the Mujahadeen against the Soviets, attended a training camp in Connecticut, trained at three camps in Afghanistan and ended up in Jordan in 2007 after being denied entry into Tel Aviv, Israel.
There is also an eighth suspect who is now identified as Jude Kenan Mohammad. His name had been redacted from court papers when the documents were released last week. But now prosecutors have said they hope to have Mohammad in custody soon.
Muhammad is thought to be in Pakistan.
To read more about the suspects backgrounds click here.
Suspects, supporters arrive at courthouse
Daniel Boyd's wife, Sabrina and their 15-year-old son, Noah, were seen entering the courthouse Tuesday morning. Eyewitness News also saw Dylan Boyd's pregnant wife and another family member.
Dylan Boyd is one of the eight suspects and the 22-year-old son of Daniel and Sabrina Boyd.
Click here for photos of suspects being transported from the jail to the courthouse Tuesday
As the family entered the courthouse, they told the media they did not have a comment at this time.
About 50 supporters were also seen entering the courthouse.
Eyewitness News spoke to a representative from the Muslim American Society Freedom Foundation of Raleigh, who showed up to observe the hearing and learn more about the case.
"I want to hear what the prosecutors will put forth that will help us understand the allegations against the defendants," said Khalilah Sabra, Muslim American Society Freedom Foundation. "What we're trying to do is to make sure that there is due process. We're not coming to any conclusions about guilt or innocence; just that justice be done."
When asked what she thought about the allegations Sabra expressed surprise.
"I think that they're, ah, they're shocking," she said. "We're all stunned. And we hope to, to gain some understanding here today to understand why they've been arrested, to really -- we need more of an explanation."
Sabra went on to explain that her organization will provide help for the suspects' families.
"We also need to be here to help the families, and they need to have us here to understand with them and to make sure that the defendants get their rights," Sabra said.
Sabra said all of the families are doing okay and are preparing themselves for what may be a lengthy trial. She also said she knows all of the defendants.
"Raleigh isn't that big, everyone knows each other," Sabra explained. "It's an illusion. Everything -- I mean, either, the defendants have created an illusion or the agents have created an illusion. And the reality is yet to be seen, and reality is going to be defined by 12 jurors."
