Federal judge in NYC concludes piracy suspect is adult, can be tried in open court

Fed judge in NYC: Piracy suspect is adult

NEW YORK — A federal judge in New York has determined that the sole survivor of a pirate attack on an American cargo ship off the Somali coast is an adult. On Tuesday, prosecutors and defense attorneys argued in a New York courtroom over whether Abdiwali Abdiqadir Muse is a juvenile or an adult. Muse’s age has been reported to be 15, 16 or 18.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Andrew Peck closed the hearing for a time for fear that Muse is a juvenile. He later allowed reporters back in and told them he had decided Muse wasn’t under 18.

Muse’s attorney say his birth date would make him 15. Muse’s parents have told The Associated Press he’s 16. Prosecutors say Muse told authorities he is 18.