Blackwater witness returns to grand jury in shooting inquiry

Associated Press (2007-12-04)

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Associated Press - December 4, 2007 6:45 PM ET

WASHINGTON (AP) - An unidentified witness returned today to a federal grand jury as prosecutors continued their investigation into North Carolina-based Blackwater Worldwide.

Blackwater is the government contractor whose security guards were involved in a shooting that killed 17 Iraqi civilians in Baghdad.

The witness is 1 of 3 men who have testified before the grand jury. He first testified last week, and just like his previous appearance, neither he nor his lawyer would identify him to reporters.

The witness also spent time in a closed-door hearing with Chief Judge Thomas F. Hogan, who settles issues such as whether witnesses can be forced to testify. After the hearing, the witness returned to the grand jury room.

The Justice Department says it likely will be months before it decides whether it can prosecute the guards. For now, the department is trying now to pinpoint how many shooters in the Blackwater convoy could face charges.

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