Washington: A US citizen accused of shooting a Sikh gas station owner in the aftermath of the September 11 terror attacks has admitted to the crime.

The defence attorney for the accused Frank Roque, Dan Patterson conceded in court on June 17 that his client shot to death Sikh gas station owner Balbir Singh Sodhi (49) and committed drive-by shootings at a Lebanese-owned gas station and an Iraqi man's home as well.

"There is no disagreement on the timing of these three discrete offences," Patterson said.

The 43 year-old Roque is accused of gunning down Sodhi in retaliation for the terrorist attacks. Roque mistook Sodhi to be an Arab, because he had a beard and turban.

According to police reports, Roque declared at the time of his arrest, "I am a patriot" and said that he was "standing up for his brothers and sisters in New York".

Patterson told Maricopa County superior court judge Mark Aceto on June 17 that an acknowledgement of the basic facts as charged in Roque's indictment is required for using the guilty-but-insane defence.

Patterson argued that Roque was consumed by anger after the attacks on New York and Washington.

Rana Singh Sodhi of Phoenix, one of the victim's brothers, said he is pleased Roque is admitting the slaying, but does not buy the defence.

Roque, said Rana Singh Sodhi, acted with premeditation, visiting the gas station before Balbir Singh Sodhi was gunned down to make sure the victim was working.

PTI