Trial For Suspected Pirates Begins in U.S. Today

On Tuesday a jury will be selected to hear the trial for a group of Somali nationals accused of piracy. The last time suspects accused of piracy were tried in the United States, the year was 1861.

On April 1, men in a small skiff fired assault rifles at the USS Nicholas (pictured), which was on an anti-piracy patrol off the Somali coast. The USS Nicholas returned fire and captured the five Somalis onboard. Also in April, just days later six more Somalis were captured in waters near Djibouti after allegedly shooting at the USS Ashland.

Court documents have revealed that the men mistook the warship for a merchant vessel.

The men are accused of piracy, attacking to plunder a vessel, and assault with a dangerous weapon. The suspects face life in prison if found guilty of piracy. The trial, taking place in Norfolk, Virginia is expected to last a month.