Death penalty sought for Somali pirates

NORFOLK, Va. (AP) - Federal prosecutors say they will seek the death penalty for three Somalis charged with murder in the deaths of four Americans who were shot aboard a hijacked yacht last year.

Ahmed Muse Salad, Abukar Osman Beyle and Shani Nurani Shiekh Abrar could also face the death penalty on numerous other charges related to the hijacking.

A document disclosing the prosecutors' intent was filed on Monday.

The decision to seek the death penalty is made by U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder.

The owners of the yacht Quest, Jean and Scott Adam of Marina del Rey, Calif., along with friends Bob Riggle and Phyllis Macay of Seattle, were the first Americans to be killed in a wave of pirate attacks off the coast of Africa.