Jury recommends life term for Marine in murder case

A military jury on Saturday recommended Marine Master Sgt. Nathaniel Cosby serve a life sentence and be dishonorably discharged, after finding him guilty earlier this week of murdering a prostitute in his Waikiki hotel room last year.

Cosby was convicted Thursday in the May 16 death of Iva-nice "Ivy" Harris, who was two days shy of her 29th birthday.

Cosby, who was in Hawaii on a temporary assignment from  Japan, was found guilty of "murder while engaging in an inherently dangerous act," an offense that carries a maximum term of life in prision without the possibility of parole. He also was found guilty of obstructing justice and attempting to patronize a prostitute. 

The conviction automatically results in forfeiture of all pay and allowances, according to a joint statement by the U.S. Marine Corps Forces-Pacific and the city’s Prosecutor’s Office.

The jury’s recommendation will be reviewed by the Marines commander and the court-martial’s convening authority, who will either agree with the sentence or reduce the penalty.  

Cosby remains in confinement at the brig on Ford Island.