Somali Pirates Accused of Killing Marina Del Rey Couple Face Death Penalty

Three Somali pirates accused of taking hostage and then killing Del Rey Yacht Club members Jean and Scott Adam are in federal court in Virgina this week facing the death penalty, the Associated Press reported.

The Adams, along with two friends, were shot and killed aboard their boat the S/V Quest, after it was hijacked off the coast of Oman in February 2011.

While multiple other pirates have been convicted and sentenced to life in prison in connection with the case, Tuesday marks the first time the death penalty is being brought against pirates involved in the incident, the Washington Post reported.

Indictments in those previous cases alleged that the pirates boarded the Quest yacht on Feb. 18 and held the four Americans hostage for five days. The U.S. military was negotiating with the alleged pirates, but at least one of the alleged pirates aboard the Quest fired a rocket-propelled grenade at the U.S. Navy ship U.S.S. Sterett. At least three men on the Quest allegedly shot and killed all four of the hostages before they could be rescued.

The Adams, along with Bob Riggle and Phyllis Macay of Seattle, were the first Americans to have been killed by Somali pirates.

Full Story: Associated Press
Full Story: Washington Post