Lawyer: Urinating on bodies was not desecration

CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. (AP) — A lawyer for a Marine facing criminal charges for a YouTube video showing platoon members urinating on the corpses of Taliban fighters in Afghanistan says it was in poor taste, but not desecration.

Sgt. Robert W. Richards is facing an Article 32 hearing Tuesday. The hearing will determine if there's evidence to proceed to a court-martial.

Richards faces several charges, including dereliction of duty and violating orders. Military prosecutors said he filmed himself and others urinating on the corpses.

Civilian defense lawyer Guy Womack says Richards and the rest of the nearly 20-member detachment were letting off steam and didn't desecrate the bodies by urinating on them because the bodies weren't mutilated.

Two other Marines have pleaded guilty and have been sentenced in the case.