Ex-Soldier Guilty In Iraq Rape, Killings

(AP)  A federal jury convicted a former soldier Thursday of raping and fatally shooting a 14-year-old girl after killing her parents and younger sister while he was serving in Iraq.

Pfc. Steven Dale Green faces a possible death sentence when the penalty phase of his trial opens Monday in the unusual case of a crime in a war zone being prosecuted in civilian court.

Green, 24, of Midland, Texas, was being tried in federal court because he had been discharged from the Army for a personality disorder before he was charged with the Iraq crimes. Green stared straight ahead as the verdict was read in U.S. District Court in western Kentucky.

Defense attorney Darren Wolff, speaking afterward, said the defense never denied Green's involvement.

"Is this verdict a surprise to us? No. The goal has always been to save our client's life," Wolff said. "And, now we're going to go to the most important phase, which is the sentencing phase and we're going to accomplish that goal."

The lead prosecutor, Assistant U.S. Attorney Marisa Ford, declined comment.

The trial began April 27, and jurors deliberated for more than 10 hours beginning Wednesday before finding Green guilty. Jurors didn't look at Green as they entered the courtroom before the verdict was read.

Green's defense team had asked them to consider the "context" of war, saying soldiers in Green's unit of the 101st Airborne Division lacked leadership. Defense attorneys also said the Army missed signs that Green was struggling after the loss of friends in combat and that it offered little help to him and other soldiers in his unit.

The prosecution rested six days into the trial after presenting witnesses who said Green confessed to the crimes and others who put him at the home of 14-year-old Abeer Qassim al-Janabi, heard him shoot her family and saw him rape and shoot the girl.

During opening arguments, Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Skaret said Green talked frequently of wanting to kill Iraqis, but when pressed, would tell people he wasn't serious. In the weeks before the attack on the family, several soldiers from Green's unit were killed in combat.

In closing arguments, Ford said the March 12, 2006, crime was planned and premeditated. "This was a crime that was committed in cold blood," she said.

Prosecutors told jurors that the plot against the family was hatched among Green and fellow soldiers who were playing cards and drinking whiskey at a checkpoint. Talk turned to having sex with Iraqi women, when one soldier mentioned the al-Janabi family, who lived nearby, Skaret said.

Three other soldiers are serving time in military prison for their roles in the attack, and testified against Green at his trial.

Green's father, John Green, declined to comment on the verdict. But he told The Associated Press that he may testify during the penalty phase of the trial.

[batchitcrazy]

@ tommynutz......
If you really think this is a good person and this is an injustice, then why don't you petition the court for guardianship.
Provide this poor soul with a place to live under the roof of your house. Give him food and nourishment. I am sure he would be oh so grateful to you. He could help you with your household chores and even babysit for your children when you take your wife out to dinner.

[GALANT1721]

Verdicts like this one, are the reason the US is widely admired and respected. Americans still do not realized that we the foreigners would always expect the best comming from the US justice system.

[batchitcrazy]

What a putrid disgusting "nation" the united states is becoming.
Posted by tommynutz at 8:00 AM : May 8, 2009
----------------------------
The only thing putrifying I can see here are your comments. If you don't like the country just leave sparky. Go to any of the foriegn embassies in Washington and ask for political asylum...

[batchitcrazy]

The only thing lower then a person who rapes and kills a child is whale crap at the bottom of the Marianen Trench.

Put him down like a rabid dog, rid the earth of his seed and bury him in an unknown grave.....

[tommynutz]

What a putrid disgusting "nation" the united states is becoming.

[ubrew12]

tommynutz said: "War is war. Let this man go free. "

Join the military, rape a 14 year old, massacre her and her family to shut them up,

and tommynutz will pin a medal on you.

[tommynutz]

War is war. Let this man go free. America is the worlds arm pit and now we are going after the few brave that are left in the service. Soon there will be none.

[shoebox119]

So, when do the Bush and Cheney trials begin in the land that so proudly claims "justice for all"?


That's what I thought.

[jwind1]

People like this person does noting but tarnish the U.S. and the military's reputation around the world. His actions and others like him make it harder and harder for us to remain on good terms with other countries. He deserves the same treatment that him and his comrades gave to the Iraqi family.
Posted by have-a-day at 3:46 AM : May 8, 2009

He should have been a republican, then he wouldn't have a problem as he would be exempt from the law.
Posted by rharrin1 at 5:50 AM : May 8, 2009

only a loser would bring up political party in this story

[blindersoff]

Way to treat ....... Posted by tommynutz at 4:27 AM

As if this person would have ever signed up anyway. This case has been ongoing genius. Fellow soldiers testified against this guy, he planned the rape and murder and his own crew turned him in. Read up on the case.