Frm. Blackwater contractors enter plea

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) - Two former Blackwater contractors charged in the shooting deaths of two Afghans on May 5, 2009 pleaded not guilty to new charges against them Tuesday in Norfolk Federal Court.

New federal indictments were brought against former contractors 29-year-old Christopher Drotleff and 27-year-old Justin Cannon on August 5. Both are still charged with second-degree murder, attempted murder and weapons charges stemming from the shooting incident more than a year ago. However, the attempted murder charge was reduced against both and Cannon's firearm charge was replaced with use of a machine gun during the killings.

During Tuesday's hearing a judge denied the defense's request to have thousands of government documents released pertaining to similar incidents the accused were involved in, citing it would be too big of a burden for the government. However, the accused are free to testify as to those events.

The new charge carries a minimum sentence of 30 years if convicted. The murder charge carries a maximum sentence of life in prison.

According to court records, Cannon was armed with a machine gun that day and Drotleff had a handgun. It's unclear who fired at which of the victims.

The two have been accused of drinking at the time of the shootings; something both have denied.

The trial is still set for September 14 and is expected to last two to three weeks. Several witnesses are expected to come in from out of town and out of the country.

Drotleff and Cannon remain in jail pending trial.