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Somali Pirate Pleads Guilty to Killing SoCal Couple from Hijacked Yacht
Scott and Jean Adam (via Quest)
The man accused of killing local couple Jean and Scott Adam after hijacking their yacht in the Gulf of Arden has pleaded guilty in a federal court in Virginia, according to the Associated Press. Mohamud Hirs Issa Ali of Somalia is "among 15 suspects from Somalia and Yemen facing charges related to the February hijacking of the yacht Quest."The Adams were Christian missionaries based in Marina Del Rey, who were on an ambitious global sail. Ali and other Somali pirates are accused of killing the Adams' companions, Bob Riggle and Phyllis Macay of Seattle.
The four hostages were killed by their captors after negotiations with American Naval personnel were underway.
Ali could receive a life sentence for his role in the killings, however his plea agreement may allow for a reduction in the term.