How the Islamic State trial could change the future of US terrorism cases

As a Virginia jury hears horrific allegations, experts say the trial of El Shafee Elsheikh sets an important precedent

As the trial against the accused Islamic State fighter El Shafee Elsheikh began this week on American soil, jurors in a northern Virginia courtroom were quickly exposed to accounts of unimaginable brutality.

Elsheikh, prosecutors alleged, carried out terrorist acts that involved the grisly deaths of four Americans - the journalists James Foley and Steven Sotloff, as well as the aid workers Kayla Mueller and Peter Kassig.