Blackwater duo convicted of involuntary manslaughter

NORFOLK

In what appeared to be a compromise verdict, a federal jury Friday found two former Blackwater contractors guilty of one manslaughter count but acquitted the pair of all other charges in the shootings of three Afghans.

Christopher Drotleff of Virginia Beach was already weeping as the clerk read "not guilty" over and over again to charges of murder, assault and weapons offenses. Co-defendant Justin Cannon stood nearby stoically.

The jury in U.S. District Court found Drotleff and Cannon guilty of involuntary manslaughter for the shooting death of a passenger in a car they fired on at a Kabul intersection on May 5, 2009.

Jurors found them not guilty of murder or manslaughter for the shooting death of a pedestrian, who happened to be walking a dog nearby that night. They also acquitted both of assault for wounding the driver of the car, a decision that Cannon's attorney, James Broccoletti, called "puzzling," because they found wrongdoing for shooting the passenger but no wrongdoing for wounding the driver.

But Cannon and Drotleff were happy when it was over, the lawyers said.

Cannon was looking at a mandatory life prison sentence if the jury had found him guilty of using an AK-47 machine gun that night. Drotleff didn't face that much time because he had a handgun, but would have faced decades behind bars. The jury acquitted them of all weapons charges.

Involuntary manslaughter carries a maximum penalty of eight years in prison, but under federal sentencing rules Drotleff and Cannon are likely facing one to two years in prison, or even time already served, their lawyers said.

Drotleff, Cannon and their families declined comment after the verdict, citing the ongoing case. Sentencing was set for June 14.

"I just want to go home," was all Cannon would say as he walked out of court with his father. Cannon is from Corpus Christi, Texas, but has been living in Louisiana with his parents.

Drotleff, who lives in Virginia Beach with his wife and children, was allowed out on bond after the verdict, the first time he has been free since early January 2009. Cannon already was out on bond.

The two Blackwater firearms instructors say they fired their guns in self-defense that night as they were helping co-workers who had just crashed at a busy intersection. Drotleff and Cannon said they feared a sedan that had driven at them down the wrong side of the road could have been a suicide bomber.

Cannon told authorities that he had seen a sedan just like it minutes earlier carrying men with guns. The car rammed their lead convoy vehicle, causing it to crash.

Prosecutors alleged that the two made up that story to cover themselves for firing recklessly, from behind, at the Afghans. The driver testified that he was heading home from dinner with his cousin, who was killed. They were unarmed.

Drotleff's attorney, Lawrence H. Woodward Jr., said his client was happy to be finally going home.

"He's delighted to be reunited with his wife and children," Woodward said. "We're going to continue to work to make sure all the charges are cleared from his name."

Woodward and Broccoletti said they plan to file motions to throw out the one conviction.

"It's difficult to fathom," Broccoletti said of the verdict. "I think it's a compromise."

Jurors - 10 women and two men - spent nearly 20 hours over three days deliberating. At times, shouting could be heard inside the jury room, and just before they emerged with their decision, there was clapping in the room.

"The jurors recognized that there was a significant degree of self-defense involved," Broccoletti said.

"All in all, it's a good day for these guys."

Federal prosecutors declined to comment afterward. A spokesman for the U.S. Attorney's Office also declined to comment.

Tim McGlone, (757) 446-2343, tim.mcglone@pilotonline.com