CALIFORNIA BRIEFING / CAMP PENDLETON
Murder charges against a Marine sergeant in the death of a prisoner in Fallouja, Iraq, will not be dropped despite the acquittal of two Marines in the same case.
Lt. Gen. Samuel Helland, commander of the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, has decided that the case against Sgt. Jermaine Nelson should proceed to a court-martial. Nelson’s supporters hoped the case would be dropped after the acquittals of Sgt. Ryan Weemer and former Sgt. Jose Nazario.
Nelson is charged with unpremeditated murder and dereliction of duty in the alleged killing of a prisoner during the assault on insurgents in November 2005. If convicted, he could face life in prison.
-- Tony Perry
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