Italy murder trial begins for US soldier accused in Iraq shooting News
Italy murder trial begins for US soldier accused in Iraq shooting

[JURIST] The trial of US Army Spc. Mario Lozano [defense website; Wikipedia profile] for the murder of Italian intelligence agent Nicola Calipari [BBC profile; JURIST news archive] and attempted murders of agent Andrea Carpani and Italian journalist Giuliana Sgrena [Wikipedia profile] began in Italy Tuesday. The court immediately adjourned proceedings for technical reasons until May 14. Lozano is being tried in absentia [JURIST report], but has denied all charges against him [JURIST report], maintaining that he fired upon the Italian vehicle carrying the intelligence agents and journalist in self-defense.

Calipari was shot to death [JURIST report] by Lozano while driving to the Baghdad airport after securing the release of Sgrena from Iraqi kidnappers. A second Italian agent, Andrea Carpani, was also wounded. AP has more. BBC News has additional coverage.

THIS DAY @ LAW

China passes current constitution

On December 4, 1982, the Fifth National People's Congress passed the current Constitution of China.

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