Jean and Scott Adam of Marina del Ray, Calif., died after being hijacked by Somali pirates.
NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — Three Somali men have pleaded guilty to piracy for their roles in the hijacking of a yacht that left four Americans dead.
Two of the men also pleaded guilty to hostage taking Friday during hearings in Norfolk. Those men were considered leaders among the crew.
Each of the men face mandatory life sentences, although they struck deals with prosecutors that could allow them to receive lighter sentences and eventually be deported to Somalia.
The men are among 15 who have been charged for their roles in the February hijacking of the yacht Quest.
The owners of the Quest, Jean and Scott Adam of Marina del Rey, Calif., along with friends Bob Riggle and Phyllis Macay of Seattle, were shot to death several days after being taken hostage several hundred miles south of Oman.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
