A federal judge today sentenced five Somalis to life plus 80 years in prison for the April 1 pirate attack on the Norfolk-based frigate Nicholas.
The sentences are the first for a piracy conviction in 200 years.
The five Somalis were captured by the Nicholas after the warship took fire from AK47s off the Horn of Africa. Three of the defendants were in what prosecutors called an attack skiff while the other two were in a mother ship loaded with supplies.
Four of the Somalis maintained their innocence and vowed to appeal, but one apologized.
"I'm sorry that I have been accused of these crimes," defendant Mohammed Modin Hasan said through an interpreter.
The four other defendants were more defiant.
"I'm not accepting the outcome of this case," said Abdi Wali Dire.
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