Judge Allows Delay For Akbar Trial

A pre-trial hearing is under way at Fort Bragg for Sgt. Hasan Akbar, is assigned to the Army's 101st Airborne Division.

Akbar is charged with two counts of premeditated murder in a grenade attack at Camp Pennsylvania, Kuwait in 2003. Two fellow soldiers were killed and 14 others were wounded.

A judge said statements made by Akbar to two sergeants after the grenade attack will not be allowed at his trial, but another statement by Akbar admitting he rolled grenades into sleeping tents can be used.

Akbar's lawyers also tried to delay the trial, originally set for Feb. 15, 2005, until June. The judge allowed a delay only until April 5.

Akbar was not stationed in North Carolina, but his unit comes under the authority of Fort Bragg commanders. He could be sentenced to death if convicted.