U.S. judge says Blackwater Iraq shooting case must move faster
Source: Reuters
U.S. judge says Blackwater Iraq shooting case must move faster
WASHINGTON | Tue Sep 10, 2013 12:35pm EDT
(Reuters) - A judge on Tuesday ordered the U.S. government to speed up its criminal case against the Blackwater Worldwide security guards who are accused of killing 14 civilians in a 2007 shooting in Baghdad that strained U.S.-Iraqi relations.
U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth told the Justice Department to make a final decision by October 21 on precisely what charges it would pursue, telling prosecutors and defense lawyers that the case was moving too slowly.
"This case is going to end," Lamberth said at a court hearing, adding, "while I'm still alive."
The shooting occurred as the private security contractor's guards escorted U.S. diplomats through the Iraqi capital. A grand jury indicted five Blackwater guards on manslaughter charges in 2008.
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