Marine Pilot Faces Obstruction Charges
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From Times Wire Reports
A judge at Camp Lejeune, N.C., refused to dismiss obstruction of justice charges against a Marine pilot whose jet clipped an Italian gondola cable, killing 20 people. The judge rejected arguments by Capt. Richard Ashby’s lawyers that high-ranking Marine officers improperly influenced the decision to prosecute Ashby on obstruction and conspiracy charges. Jury selection starts Monday for Ashby’s trial. Ashby, 32, of Mission Viejo, Calif., is accused of destroying a videotape shot during the 1998 flight.
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