Opening Statements Set In Trial For Marine Who Vanished

CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. (AP) — Opening statements are expected in the trial of a U.S. Marine who vanished from his post in Iraq a decade ago and later wound up in Lebanon.

Court was recessed until Tuesday. Cpl. Wassef Hassoun faces charges of desertion, larceny and destruction of property before the judge, Marine Maj. Nicholas Martz.

Hassoun has conceded that his second disappearance began with an unauthorized absence.

Prosecutors will seek to prove the more serious desertion accusations against Hassoun and that he stole a pistol.

Defense attorneys maintain Hassoun was kidnapped in 2004 by insurgents and later became tangled up in Lebanese courts. Prosecutors allege Hassoun fled his post because he was unhappy with his deployment and the treatment of Iraqis by U.S. troops.