RALEIGH, N.C. — An area teacher accused of plotting to behead three witnesses from a terrorism trial is seeking a separate trial from her two co-defendants.

Nevine Aly Elshiekh, 46, of Raleigh, was arrested in January after an FBI sting in which Hysen Sherifi allegedly tried to have three witnesses in his federal terrorism trial last fall killed. Sherifi's brother also was arrested in the case.

Elshiekh's attorneys argue in court papers filed Monday that Hysen Sherifi is willing to testify that Elshiekh thought she was collecting money for his appeal and knew nothing of the alleged plot. Yet, the attorneys contend, he cannot testify on her behalf if he is a defendant in the same trial, as that would open himself up to cross-examination and violate his right against self-incrimination.

Sherifi, 27, was sentenced in January to 45 years in prison for plotting to attack the U.S. Marine Corps base in Quantico, Va., as well as targets overseas.