Trial begins in killing over whether Army or Marines the better branch

BILLINGS, Mont. — Trial is scheduled to begin Monday in the case of a 63-year-old man charged with slashing the throat of another man during a drunken argument over whether the Army or the Marines are the better military branch.

William Earl Cunningham is charged with deliberate homicide in the Aug. 2 death of 40-year-old Nathaniel Horn during an argument in Laurel.

Court records say Cunningham, who served in the Army, had a 0.217 percent blood alcohol level less than two hours after the killing.

Public defender Gregory Paskell has said Cunningham's defense likely will argue justifiable use of force, arguing that Horn had taken a swing at him.

Prosecutors say Cunningham told investigators that he pushed Horn back and cut him.

The Billings Gazette reports jury selection was to begin at 9:30 a.m. Monday.

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