Jury retires in case against Marine accused of prisoner killing

0 Comments | AFP, August, 2008

RIVERSIDE, California (AFP) — A California jury retired to consider its verdict here Wednesday in the landmark trial of a US Marine accused of shooting unarmed prisoners in Iraq four years ago.

Jurors at the US District Court in Riverside deliberated for two hours before being sent home for the day after hearing closing arguments against former sergeant Jose Luis Nazario after four days of evidence.

Nazario, 28, is being prosecuted on charges of voluntary manslaughter, assault with a dangerous weapon and discharging a firearm arising from an incident during fierce fighting in Fallujah in November 2004.

It is the first time a military veteran has been tried by a civilian jury for actions that occurred during combat.

Prosecutors' case against Nazario...