Court-martial today for Marine charged in soldier murder

[unhappycamper]

Court-martial today for Marine charged in soldier murder
By Chelsea J. Carter - The Associated Press
Posted : Monday Dec 3, 2007 6:27:35 EST

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. — Prosecutors claim Lance Cpl. Delano Holmes murdered an Iraqi soldier while the two men stood guard together in Fallujah. But the 21-year-old Marine reservist says he acted in self-defense.

Now, jurors will determine whether he is innocent or guilty during a court-martial. The trial was to start Monday with jury selection.

Holmes, of Indianapolis, is accused of stabbing Munther Jasem Muhammed Hassin to death as they stood watch at a security post Dec. 31, 2006. He has pleaded not guilty to charges of unpremeditated murder and making a false statement.

The killing occurred in the pre-dawn darkness after Hassin allegedly opened his cell phone, then lit a cigarette at the post, said Holmes’ attorney, Steve Cook.

The men were not supposed to display illuminated objects because of the threat of sniper fire, and Holmes repeatedly tried to make Hassin extinguish the cigarette, Cook said.

Holmes maintains he knocked the cigarette out of the soldier’s hand and the two got into a fight, falling to the ground. During the struggle, Holmes felt Hassin reaching for his loaded AK47, so the Marine killed him with a knife, then radioed for help, Cook said.


Rest of article at: http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2007/12/ap_holmes_071203/

[Maq]

1. INNOCENT as charged

any bets on the outcome.