Benghazi attacks: Libyan convicted of terrorism charges, but not murder

U.S. marshals outside a federal courthouse in Washington, D.C. — (Image credit: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

A federal jury on Tuesday found Libyan militant Ahmed Abu Khattala guilty of terrorism charges related to the 2012 Benghazi attacks that killed four Americans, including U.S. Ambassador Chris Stevens, but not guilty of murder.

Khattala was convicted on four counts, including providing material support for terrorism and placing lives in jeopardy at a U.S. compound, and acquitted of 14 others. Khattala, 46, faces life in prison. Prosecutors said they did not have evidence showing he himself fired any shots, instead arguing that he orchestrated the attacks with intent to kill Americans and steal property from the U.S. mission. Several informants, including one who was paid $7 million to become close to Khattala and help the government apprehend him, assisted the prosecution with building its case.

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Catherine Garcia has worked as a senior writer at The Week since 2014. Her writing and reporting have appeared in Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, Wirecutter, NBC News and "The Book of Jezebel," among others. She's a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.