Somali accused of piracy to go to trial

NORFOLK, Va. (AP) - A federal judge has refused to issue a blanket dismissal of all charges against a Somali man who prosecutors consider the highest-ranking pirate the U.S. has ever captured.

U.S. District Judge Robert Doumar said Thursday that Mohammad Saaili Shibin will stand trial. Shibin faces piracy and a host of other charges in connection with the hijacking of a German merchant vessel and a U.S. yacht, in which all four Americans on board were shot and killed.

Shibin attorney James Broccoletti argued that the charges should be dismissed because it's too dangerous for him to travel to Somalia and provide an adequate defense. Doumar denied that request.

Doumar is reserving judgment on other motions to dismiss the charges until he hears evidence at the trial.