Preliminary hearing set for Marine charged in Iraqi deaths
UNDATED There's a hearing today on murder charges against a former Wall Street trader who rejoined the Marines after Nine-Eleven. Defense attorneys for Second Lieutenant Ilario Pantano and military prosecutors agree that he shot and killed two Iraqis last year during a search for a militant hideout.
Defense attorneys say Pantano was doing his job. Prosecutors say it was murder and they're expected to present their evidence during a preliminary hearing today at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.
The case stems from an April 15th, 2004, incident when Pantano's unit stopped two suspected rebels.
According to charges, Pantano ordered troops to take off the mens' handcuffs and look away. He then allegedly shot the pair in the back, vandalized their vehicle and hung a sign over their corpses bearing a Marine slogan: "No better friend, no worse enemy."
The case has stirred debate on second guessing decisions made in combat.
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