* Faces possible life in prison for conviction on single charge * Defense attorneys tried to argue Mohamud was entrapped * Public defender says plans to appeal (Adds details from case, reaction from Muslim-American group) By Teresa Carson

A Somali-American was found guilty Thursday over an alleged plot to blow up a Christmas tree lighting ceremony in the US state of Oregon more than two years ago. The jury returned its verdict on Mohamed Mohamud less than a day after retiring to deliberate after his trial over the attempted attack on November 26, 2010, an AFP reporter said. The 21-year-old, whose lawyers claimed he was tricked into the attempted bombing by undercover Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agents, faces up to life in prison for plotting to use a weapon of mass destruction.

A Somali-American was found guilty Thursday over an alleged plot to blow up a Christmas tree ceremony in the US state of Oregon in 2010, reports said. The jury returned its verdict on Mohamed Mohamud less than a day after retiring to deliberate after his trial over the attempted attack on November 26, 2010, the Oregonian newspaper and KATU television reported. The 21-year-old, whose lawyers claimed he was tricked into the attempted bombing by undercover FBI agents, faces up to life in prison for plotting to use a weapon of mass destruction. str-mt/adm

By Teresa Carson PORTLAND, Ore., Jan 14 (Reuters) - Testimony in the trial of a Somali-born man charged with trying to bomb a Christmas tree event in Oregon opened on Monday with an FBI agent saying the accused first aroused concerns by discussing martyrdom in email exchanges with Islamist militants.