LOS ANGELES (AFP) — A US Marine is to face a military trial for murder over charges stemming from the shooting death of an unarmed Iraqi prisoner during fighting in Fallujah in 2004, the military said Friday.
A statement released by the US Marine Corps from their California base at Camp Pendleton said Sergeant Ryan Weemer would be tried at a later date on charges of unpremeditated murder and dereliction of duty.
Weemer is the second soldier to be sent to court martial in the case. Another Sergeant, Jermaine Nelson, was ordered to stand trial in May on identical charges.
Weemer and Nelson are among three soldiers facing charges in the case, which occurred during fierce combat operations in Fallujah on November 9, 2004.
A third soldier, Jose Nazario, is being tried in civilian courts in California on manslaughter charges in connection with the shooting deaths of two Iraqi prisoners. Nazario, who denies the charges, is awaiting trial.
While few details about the Fallujah case have been revealed by the military, media reports have said Marines shot dead several Iraqi prisoners during the battle for the city.
Newspaper reports have said as many as eight insurgents were shot dead after being captured. Under military law, the killing of a captured enemy combatant who does not pose a threat is treated as murder.
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