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Key decision made in San Diego trial of Navy SEAL

Posted at 3:45 PM, Apr 30, 2019
and last updated 2019-04-30 20:53:11-04

SAN DIEGO (KGTV) - Navy SEAL Eddie Gallagher, accused of murdering an ISIS solder and shooting Iraqi civilians, appeared in court Tuesday for a final hearing before his trial begins.

Chief Gallagher and his wife held hands as they walked into court for the hours-long hearing.

Prosecutors say Gallagher killed the unarmed Islamic State prisoner in 2017, and tried to kill an elderly man and a 12-year-old girl. He was arrested last fall on war crimes charges.

Since Gallagher’s prior hearing, President Trump intervened and tweeted his support. Gallagher was moved to less restrictive confinement at MCAS Miramar, which his attorney had requested.

Tuesday, the judge made a key decision to extend the trial through June 14. The judge denied a defense motion to drop charges related to the civilian shootings on grounds of lack of evidence and changes to the witness testimony.

Gallagher has pleaded not guilty. His trial begins May 28.