Yemeni man opts not to take piracy plea deal

NORFOLK, Va. – A Yemeni man has decided not to take a plea deal in a piracy case that resulted in the deaths of four Americans.

Mounir Ali's attorney, Jim Theuer, told a federal judge in Norfolk on Monday that Ali had changed his mind and would not be pleading guilty to piracy.

Theuer later told reporters that Ali contends he was forced to join the band of Somalis that took the American yacht hostage. Ten Somali men have pleaded guilty to piracy as part of agreements that could result in them serving less than life in prison, the mandatory sentence.

Prosecutors don't believe Ali shot the Americans. They said that three men who did would likely face capital charges by the end of next week.