Second military judge stepped down from the long-running Sept. 11 war-crimes case.

5years ago

Washington news, Washington news.

Colonel Keith Parrella of the Marine Corps will take up his new duties as commander of the Marine Corps embassy security group in June. He announced his decision Thursday.

Parrella presides over the case of the death penalty involving five men accused of planning and assisting the attacks of 11 September 2001.

He had said earlier that he was on-line for the security post, but it was unclear whether he would take it after being appointed in August to the 9/11 affair.

The former judge retired after presiding over the appearance in May 2012 and the following years of preliminary hearings repeatedly blocked.