Checkpoint death case thrown out

Checkpoint death case thrown out
By Ariel David - The Associated Press
Posted : Thursday Oct 25, 2007 12:45:39 EDT

ROME — An Italian court on Thursday threw out the case against a U.S. soldier charged in the 2005 killing of an Italian intelligence agent in Iraq.

In its ruling, the court granted the defense’s argument that Italy had no jurisdiction in the case against Spc. Mario Lozano, who was on trial in absentia on charges of murder and attempted murder.

Prosecutor Pietro Saviotti said he would decide whether to appeal the ruling after the judges make public their reasoning within 60 days.

Lozano, a member of the New York-based 69th Infantry Regiment, was being tried for the March 4, 2005, death of Nicola Calipari, who was shot at a checkpoint near Baghdad airport shortly after securing the release of a kidnapped Italian reporter. The journalist, Giuliana Sgrena, and another agent who was driving the car were wounded.

“We’ve given up trying to find the truth about what happened to Nicola Calipari,” Sgrena told reporters at the Rebibbia courthouse on the capital’s outskirts. “The arrogance of America, which never wanted this trial, has won.”

Lozano has always denied wrongdoing, saying he had no choice but to fire at the car.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2007/10/ap_lozano_071025/