Mario Lozano faces charges of murder and attempted murder for March 2005 shooting death of agent Nicola Calipari at checkpoint in Baghdad

A court in Rome has adjourned the trial in absentia of a U.S. soldier accused of killing an Italian intelligence agent in Iraq. Both the defense and prosecution had requested the delay.

The judge scheduled the next trial session in the trial of Mario Lozano for May 14. He faces charges of murder and attempted murder for the March 2005 shooting death of agent Nicola Calipari at a checkpoint in Baghdad.

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Calipari had just secured the release of a kidnapped Italian journalist, Giuliana Sgrena. A driver was taking the two to the Baghdad airport when the U.S. soldier opened fire, killing the agent and wounding the journalist.

The U.S. considers the case closed. It says the soldier shot at the vehicle because it sped toward the checkpoint and did not slow down. Italy says the car was traveling at normal speed and accuses the U.S. of failing to signal the presence of a checkpoint.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.