A US soldier went on trial in absentia today on a charge of killing an Italian intelligence agent in Iraq.
Mario Lozano, from the US Army National Guard in New York, denies wrongdoing in firing at Nicola Calipari's car when the agent was escorting a newly freed hostage to Baghdad airport in 2005. He says the driver ignored warnings to slow down or stop.
After preliminary proceedings, the trial in Italy was adjourned until mid-May.
Mr Lozano is being tried in absentia because Washington has ruled out handing him over and his lawyer, Alberto Biffani, indicated his client could formally reject the court's jurisdiction.
"Of course, Mr. Lozano will reject that this court has jurisdiction in this case," Mr Biffani said. He told the court he would return on May 14th.
The US and Italian governments said the shooting was an accident, but an Italian judge charged Lozano with voluntary homicide and two counts of attempted murder of others in the car.
His trial began in a courtroom inside Rome's maximum security prison, Rebibbia, the largest in the Italian capital. Seven empty cages flanked the left side of the courtroom, normally used to hold high-security defendants.
"It's worse for him if he does not come," said Franco Coppi, the lawyer representing Mr Calipari's widow, who has filed for damages.
The freed hostage, reporter Giuliana Sgrena, has said the trial showed US troops would be held accountable for their actions. She was wounded in the gunfire and is suing for damages.