LAS VEGAS—A federal jury in Las Vegas is considering the fate of an active-duty Navy SEAL facing charges that he smuggled machine guns from Iraq and Afghanistan and conspired to sell weapons and explosives in the United States.
The jury begins deliberating Thursday, a day after Petty Officer Nicholas Bickle sat in his Navy uniform during closing arguments while his attorney, James Pokorny (poh-COR’-nee), said he should be acquitted.
Bickle didn’t testify during the 2 1/2 week trial, and Pokorny says prosecutors failed to prove their case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Phillip N. Smith Jr. asked for the conviction of the 34-year-old Bickle on 15 conspiracy, weapons and explosives charges.
He showed the jury AK-47 and M92 machine guns, a sniper rifle and other weapons that Bickle is accused of dealing.
