Prosecutors say 2 ex-Blackwater contractors were drunk when they killed 2 Afghans in 2009

Arguments begin in US trial over 2 Afghan deaths

NORFOLK, Va. — Prosecutors say two former defense contractors were fueled by alcohol and anger the night they killed two Afghan nationals on the streets of Kabul.

Their attorneys countered during opening statements in U.S. District Court that Justin H. Cannon and Christopher Drotleff believed they were under attack on the world’s most dangerous road when they opened fire May 5, 2009.

Cannon, of Corpus Christi, Texas, and Drotleff, of Virginia Beach, face murder, assault and weapons charges. Their trial began Wednesday in Virginia.

The former Blackwater Worldwide contractors were in the nation to train the Afghan National Army. North Carolina-based Blackwater is now known as Xe (zee) Services. Both face up to life in prison if convicted.