CAMP PENDLETON, Calif., Dec. 13 (UPI) -- A U.S. Marine enlisted man has been found guilty of negligent homicide and lying to investigators in the stabbing death of an Iraqi soldier a year ago.
Lance Cpl. Delano V. Holmes was acquitted Thursday of unpremeditated murder, the Marines said in a news release, but was convicted of making a false official statement.
Sentencing proceedings were scheduled to begin later in the day at Camp Pendleton, Calif., where the general court martial was held.
Holmes claimed he acted in self-defense in the Dec. 31, 2006, slaying of Iraqi Army Pvt. Munther Jasem Muhammed Hassin at an elevated guard station just outside Fallujah, Iraq.
"This case is about murder and lies," the prosecutor, Maj. Christopher Shaw, told jurors during the trial, the North County Times reported earlier. "Don't let the accused get away with murder."
Defense attorney Steve Cook told jurors Holmes fought with Hassin over the Iraqi soldier's refusal to quit using a cell phone and smoking, exposing the two to possible sniper fire.
"They were told to behave on post as if they were a target. It was critically important they not give away their position," Cook said.
