A Nigerian man has pleaded guilty to attempting to carry out the failed jetliner attack on Christmas Day in 2009. On Wednesday, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, the so-called “underwear bomber,” admitted to trying to blow up a flight from Amsterdam to Detroit. Abdulmutallab’s court-appointed attorney said he had advised against the guilty plea.

Anthony Chambers: “It’s a decision that was against the advice of counsel. But it’s a decision that he chose to make and he believed to be the right thing to do today, based upon his own feelings. Certainly, we have been involved in what we would consider a very contested litigation at this point in time. That’s what we do. We wanted to continue the trial, but we respect his decision.”

Some of the passengers aboard the 2009 flight were on hand for the trial. Outside the courtroom, two passengers said the guilty plea would help bring closure.

Dimitrios Bessis: “It was a horrible experience. I have nightmares from it. I know the children that were there will probably be scarred for the rest of their lives. But it’s over with, thank God. We all made it, including the good Lord let him live, and he made the proper decision and pleaded guilty.”

Lori Haskell: “I’m completely and totally shocked that he pled guilty. But I’m glad that this is over with. It’s been something that my family and I have been dealing with for the past year and a half. And I’m glad it’s done with, and hopefully I don’t have to think about it much longer.”