FILE - In this July 19, 2004 file photo, Marine Cpl. Wassef Ali Hassoun makes a statement to the media outside Quantico Marine Base in Quantico, Va. Marine spokesman Lt. Col. Cliff Gilmore said Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2014, that a judge decided last week to deny Cpl. Hassoun's request for another Article 32 hearing, the military equivalent of a grand jury hearing. Gilmore said Hassoun's general court-martial is scheduled to begin at Camp Lejeune on Dec. 8 before the judge, Marine Maj. Nicholas Martz. (AP Photo/Steve Helber, File) (The Associated Press)
RALEIGH, N.C. – A Marine accused of deserting his unit a decade ago in Iraq has been denied another chance for the military equivalent of a grand jury hearing.
Marine spokesman Lt. Col. Cliff Gilmore says a military judge recently denied a request by Cpl. Wassef Hassoun for a new Article 32 hearing. Gilmore said Hassoun's court martial is likely to begin in December.
Hassoun's case began in 2004 when he disappeared from a base in Iraq. He turned up in Lebanon, saying he was kidnapped by extremists. After a brief return to the U.S., Hassoun disappeared to Lebanon again.
A report from the Article 32 hearing acknowledged the military could have a difficult time proving its case. Hassoun's attorney asked for another hearing, saying more witnesses should have testified the first time.
The hottest stories ripped from the headlines, from crime to courts, legal and scandal.
