Jury deliberating lance corporal’s case

Jury deliberating lance corporal’s case
By Chelsea J. Carter - The Associated Press
Posted : Wednesday Dec 12, 2007 21:51:55 EST

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. — The fate of a Marine reservist accused of killing an Iraqi soldier at a guard post in Fallujah was put into the hands of a military jury Wednesday to decide if it was a case of self-defense or murder.

The panel of three officers and five enlisted personnel began deliberations after a prosecutor called the self-defense claim by Lance Cpl. Delano Holmes a lie. The jury adjourned for the night after more than three hours of deliberations, and planned to resume Thursday.

“Liars can’t keep their stories straight,” Capt. Brett Miner told jurors during his closing argument.

Holmes’ attorney, Steve Cook, countered that his client acted in self-defense and cited evidence that the post had been a target of insurgents in the days before the killing.

“There is no question that the evidence shows this was an extremely dangerous place,” Cook told jurors.


Rest of article at: http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2007/12/ap_marinecharged_071212/