Sudan found culpable in USS Cole bombing

NORFOLK, W.Va., March 14 (UPI) -- A U.S. federal judge ruled Wednesday that the African nation of Sudan should be held responsible for the bombing of the USS Cole more than six years ago.

U.S. District Judge Robert G. Doumar said that due to the nation's culpability, frozen Sudanese assets should be used to compensate the families of those killed in the attack on the U.S. Navy destroyer Oct. 12, 2000, the Virginian-Pilot reported.

"I don't think there's any question that there is substantial evidence in this case, presented by the expert testimony, that the government of Sudan induced the particular bombing of the Cole," Doumar said in a courtroom in Norfolk, W.Va.

The ruling is the likely the end result of a lawsuit brought against Sudan by the families of the 17 victims killed in the terrorist bombing.

The Virginian-Pilot said Doumar's ruling brought some relief to family members, including John Clodfelter, who lost his son Kenneth in the attack.

"It's a great deal of relief," Clodfelter said. "But I'd much rather have Kenneth back than to have to go through this."