Friday, March 25, 2011
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RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - The government's bid to have piracy charges restored against five Somali men accused of attacking a Navy ship has stalled in a federal appeals court.
A three-judge panel of the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals told attorneys Friday to submit briefs on why the matter belongs before the court.
The judges did not take up the government's appeal of a Norfolk judge's dismissal of piracy charges against the men, who are accused in the April 10, 2010, attack on the USS Ashland.
Instead, the judges questioned whether the appeals court should consider the judge's ruling before the facts of that case are heard.
The judges indicated through their pointed questioning that the case is not ready for appeal.
Source: AP