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US: Case against Blackwater guard in jeopardy

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. government says its criminal case against a former Blackwater security guard is in jeopardy.

The former guard faces a June 11 trial in connection with the shootings of dozens of Iraqi citizens in Baghdad nearly seven years ago.

The defendant, Nicholas Slatten, and three other former Blackwater guards are charged in the Sept. 16, 2007, killings of 14 Iraqi citizens and the wounding of 18 others.

On Thursday, federal prosecutors said an appeals court ruling earlier this month has effectively terminated the manslaughter, attempted manslaughter and weapons charges against Slatten.

Prosecutors say Slatten was one of the lead participants in the shootings. The government says that if the appeals court decision is allowed to stand, the public will be deprived of the ability to hold Slatten accountable.