2 GI's Face Execution For Iraq Rape-Murder
Total Of 11 U.S. Troops Face Courts-Martial In Wrongful Iraqi Death Cases
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Military authorities said they would seek the death penalty against Sgt. Paul E. Cortez and Pfc. Jesse V. Spielman in connection with the March rape and murder of 14-year-old Abeer Qassim al-Janabi in her family's home in Mahmoudiya, about 20 miles south of Baghdad. The four others face a separate court martial for the alleged murder of three men near Samarra, 60 miles north of the Iraqi capital.
The rape-slaying case sparked international outrage and led to a claim by an al Qaeda-linked group that it had killed three other 101st soldiers in retaliation. It also threatened to strain relations between the United States and Iraq's new government if Iraqis perceived soldiers receive lenient treatment.
The case also increased demands for changes in an agreement that exempts U.S. soldiers from prosecution in Iraqi courts.
Spielman's attorneys expressed shock that their client faces a death penalty, citing evidence discussed during a hearing in August that indicated he was not in the house when the rape and murders occurred.
"Even according to the government's evidence that they're putting forth, Jesse isn't even a principal in murder and rape," said Craig Carlson, Spielman's attorney. "It surprises me that they're treating him like they're treating Green."
Spc. James P. Barker and Pfc. Bryan L. Howard are also accused in the rape and murders but will not face the death penalty, the military said in a statement.
Former Pvt. Steven Green, who was discharged for a personality disorder and arrested in North Carolina, will be tried in federal court in Kentucky. In affidavits, Green was described as a central figure to the rape and murders.
Green has pleaded not guilty to one count of rape and four counts of murder.
Military prosecutors have said the five — all from the division's 502nd Infantry Regiment — planned the attack from a checkpoint near the family's home, changed their clothing to hide their identities and set the girl's body on fire to destroy evidence.
Mahmoudiya is part of the so-called "triangle of death" a region known for numerous attacks by insurgents, and the soldiers' unit suffered months of bombings and shootings that felled dozens of comrades.
Defense attorneys have argued that soldiers of every rank were emotionally ragged and strained.
In the other case, Pfc. Corey R. Clagett, Spc. William B. Hunsaker, Staff Sgt. Raymond L. Girouard and Spc. Juston R. Graber are accused of murdering three Iraqi men taken from a house May 9 on a marshy island outside Samarra, about 60 miles north of Baghdad.
Meanwhile, three Camp Pendleton Marines will face courts-martial on murder and kidnapping charges in the death of an Iraqi man in the town of Hamdania, but will not face the death penalty, the Marine Corps said Wednesday.
The three were among seven Marines and one Navy corpsman charged with kidnapping and killing 52-year-old Hashim Ibrahim Awad last April.
Lance Cpl. Tyler Jackson, Lance Cpl. Robert B. Pennington and Cpl. Trent D. Thomas will also face charges including conspiracy, housebreaking and larceny.
On. Oct. 6, Petty Officer 3rd Class Melson J. Bacos, a Navy corpsman on patrol with the Marines, pleaded guilty to kidnapping and conspiracy under a deal with prosecutors. He agreed to testify at his court-martial and during upcoming proceedings about what he witnessed.
Since the start of the Iraq war in 2003, at least 14 members of the U.S. military have been convicted in connection with the deaths of Iraqis. Two received sentences of up to life in prison, while most others were given little or no jail time.
©MMVI, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Viet Nam was the same. Our troops did horrific murderous acts in that war, so many, governmental officials covered for them so no scandal. ASk Gerald Ford. He was one of the people recommending a cover up to be able to move on.
People in glass houses should not throw rocks. Love thine enemy as thine own brother. Love thine enemy for he knows not what he does. Americans need to take anti-psychotic meds, stay home and shut up. Permanently.
The same thing happened in Nam. The melai massacre.
The last thing we want to happen is fear and uncertainty... wait, some, Americans already feel the fear and uncertainty about the war!
What we Americans need to do to is beef up security and stop the pedifiles from harming future Iraqi citizens.
http://www.noterror.info
Get educated. Now.
For everyone else, please pass the word.
I do not question your allegiance to this country or the 'war on terror' but have you read the factual evidence that suggests since our 'war on terror' terror around the world has tripled. Of course it'll never be ok until it is all gone, but have you considered that our war is making it worse?
it doesn't help that they told people and basically confessed. C'mon. In any other situation I completely agree with you. but you go bragging and you deserve to be caught. I'm no criminal but I'm smart enough to know you don't go telling other people about your escapades and then expect pity when you're caught.
Like I stated earlier, if guilty they should pay but I will not condemn before a trial happens.
Obviously something really bad happened there. I am confident the guilty parties will come to light and the innocents vindicated.
So for now innocent until proven guilty.
You apear to be completely immune to reality or any kind of factual information.
There were no terrorist in Iraq and no weapons of mass destruction before we invaded it. The terrorist that are there now are a ectremely minority who have been recruited because they resent us invading a Muslim country. We are dealing with a homegrown insurgency. These are Iraqis that know we don't belong there and want us out. In addition we are right in the middle of a civil war. Who's side should we take? Or do you think we should stand in the middle and get shot at? We have bungled any chance of winning this thing. The only real options for us now is finding the least destructive path out.
"You should be innocent until proven guilty. That is why they are going to court."
I agree. If only this "basic" protection was offered to everyone - Bush has seen to it that people can be excluded - and this includes Americans.
This war, started from a lie that has moved into utter incompetance and self-dstruction. Or should I say America-destructing. If we let this war go on in Iraq, we won't have a military capable of winning the war on Terror, let alone many iraq veterans who come out unfazed by the useless bloodshed. Al-queda wants us there! And what exactly are we going to be able to do about North Korea or Iran without a draft! Let's save our military men from futility and the trauma of perpetual and unvictorius war in Iraq. We need to help Afghans and keep poised about those other unfriendly countries.
That kind of stuff does happen, I'm sure -----but still----if someone threatened my life unless i went along with them----well i would have to say--'Fine, you will have to kill me then". I would rather die than ever be forced into doing something so heinous.
Perhaps the true criminals are those who propogate war and not those who are driven to fight it.
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by mmmlalala
October 19, 2006 8:21 PM PDT
- I stand by our troop 100%; these people shouldn't have been in it to start with. I truly belive we went in with the just one intention - to give iraqi's a better life than what they had under a tyrant. Our execution may not have been perfect, and I will never understand why some iraqi are trying to stop us from rebuilding their city. Regardless of what drove these soliders to leave their station and commit these crimes, these criminal must be held accountable; this family should not pay for anyone else's mistake. If the leaders are wrong or have other intentions, they will be judged by history. I just hope justice will be done for iraqi; they have suffered enough. I do not believe any of us would commit these kinds of actions; it takes a monster to rape, murder, and set fire .... drunk? i don't think so.
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