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NORFOLK, Va. (AP) - A judge is considering a defense bid to toss piracy charges against six Somali nationals accused in an attack on a U.S. Navy ship.
At a hearing in Norfolk, U.S. District Judge Raymond Jackson questioned a government lawyer Thursday about whether the alleged attack on the USS Ashland on April 10 constituted piracy. He said he would rule on a defense motion within weeks.
The piracy count is the most serious facing the six defendants and carries a mandatory life term.
On a separate motion, Jackson refused to move the trial out of Norfolk, which has a big military presence.
All the Ashland defendants have pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Five other Somali nationals are accused in a separate alleged attackon the USS Nicholas.
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