U.S. Court: Four Blackwater Guards Guilty In Iraq Killings

Four ex-employees of the Blackwater security firm have been found guilty in a U.S. court in connection with the 2007 Baghdad shooting deaths of at least 14 people.

A Washington federal court found Nicholas Slatten guilty of first-degree murder and Paul Slough, Evan Liberty, and Dustin Heard were found guilty of voluntary manslaughter.

The jury trial lasted more than two months. The court is still considering several other charges against the defendants.

Sentencing is expected in the coming weeks.

The security firm employees were guarding a U.S. diplomatic convoy on September 16, 2007, in Baghdad's Nisur Square when they opened fire on unarmed civilians.

Along with 14 killed, 18 others were injured, some critically.

An Iraqi investigation says 17 Iraqis died.

The shooting incident enraged Iraqis and Blackwater's license was revoked by Iraqi officials.

Based on reporting by AFP and AP