Marine accused of killing detainee arraigned

[unhappycamper]

Marine accused of killing detainee arraigned
By Chelsea J. Carter - The Associated Press
Posted : Thursday Jun 5, 2008 6:43:54 EDT

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. — A Marine accused of killing an unarmed detainee in Iraq reserved his right Wednesday to enter a plea at a later date on charges of unpremeditated murder and dereliction of duty.

During arraignment, Sgt. Jermaine A. Nelson also reserved his right to decide whether to face a jury trial in a case that centers on allegations that Marines shot a group of detainees in Fallujah, Iraq, during some of the heaviest fighting of the war.

The judge, Lt. Col. Jeffrey Meeks, set a Dec. 8. trial for Nelson. Meeks also scheduled a hearing in July to consider a request by Nelson’s attorney, Joseph Low, to visit the scene of the killings.

Nelson had failed to show for a previously scheduled arraignment because he was jailed by a federal judge for refusing to testify before a grand jury investigating a former comrade.

Nelson, 26, of New York, is one of three charged in the case. He faces life imprisonment if convicted of murder.


Rest of article at: http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2008/06/ap_fallujah_060408/