Deliberations underway in Afghan trial

NORFOLK, Va. (AP/WAVY) - Jury deliberations are underway in the trial against Justin Cannon and Christopher Drotleff. Both face up to life in prison if convicted of murder, assault and weapons charges in connection with the shooting deaths of two Afghan civilians last year.

The two former Blackwater contractors declined to testify at their federal murder trial in Norfolk Wednesday.

Cannon and Drotleff told investigators they feared for their safety when they opened fire on the unarmed Afghan civilians on May 5, 2009, in Kabul. The Virginian-Pilot reports that witnesses at their trial testified there was no threat that night.

Prosecutors allege that the men concocted the self-defense story to cover up that they were drinking alcohol that day and violated Blackwater policies by including taking vehicles and weapons without permission.

Stay with WAVY News 10 and WAVY.com for the latest on the trial.