Can an allegedly unprovoked and fatal shooting of 17 civilians be grounds for criminal prosecution? That’s what a Washington, D.C. district court was trying to decide yesterday—whether State Dept. contractor Blackwater could be charged under U.S. law for its employees killing Iraqi civilians last September. Thanks to a 2003 decree, the contractor is already immune from Iraqi law.

The Washington Post’s Karen DeYoung and Del Quentin Wilbur report that “at least three Iraqis” appeared yesterday to provide evidence about Blackwater security guards opening fire against Iraqi people. Also, two Iraqi police officers have reportedly been flown in to testify. Otherwise, little is known about prosecuting the State Dept’s prime security contractor. Read DeYoung and Wilbur here. MB

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