US Won't Seek Death Penalty Against Benghazi Suspect
Source: Associated Press
The Justice Department will not seek the death penalty against Ahmed Abu Khattala, the suspected Libyan militant charged in the Benghazi attacks that killed a U.S. ambassador and three other Americans, federal officials announced Tuesday.
The department revealed its decision in a brief court filing that offered no additional explanation.
In a separate statement, spokeswoman Emily Pierce said Attorney General Loretta Lynch made the decision after consulting with prosecutors. Pierce said the department remains "committed to ensuring that the defendant is held accountable" for the 2012 attacks.
Khattala's attorneys had been imploring the Justice Department to remove the death penalty as a possibility should he ultimately be convicted of any capital crimes in a trial. With the death penalty now off the table, he would face a maximum sentence of life in prison if convicted.
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Read more: http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/us-seek-death-penalty-benghazi-suspect-39016266
By ERIC TUCKER, ASSOCIATED PRESS
WASHINGTON — May 10, 2016, 4:00 PM ET
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