Posted on 07/09/2006 8:28:58 PM PDT by kellynla
TIKRIT, Iraq (AP) -- Four more U.S. soldiers have been charged with rape and murder and a fifth with dereliction of duty in the alleged rape-slaying of a young Iraqi woman and the killings of her relatives in Mahmoudiya, the military said Sunday.
The five were accused Saturday following an investigation into allegations that American soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division raped the teenager and killed her and three relatives at her home south of Baghdad.
Ex-soldier Steven D. Green was arrested last week in North Carolina and has pleaded not guilty to one count of rape and four counts of murder. He was ordered held without bond on the charges, which carry a possible death penalty.
The U.S. statement said the five soldiers still on active duty will face an Article 32 investigation, similar to a grand jury hearing in civilian law. The Article 32 proceeding will determine whether there is enough evidence to place them on trial.
One of the soldiers was charged with failing to report the attack but is not believed to have participated in it directly, the statement said. The four facing murder charges could face the death penalty if convicted.
The names of the five were not released, but a U.S. military official, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the ongoing investigation, said Sunday that the soldiers recently charged are two sergeants, two privates first-class and one specialist.
The March 12 attack on the family was among the worst in a series of cases of U.S. troops accused of killing and abusing Iraqi civilians.
U.S. officials are concerned the alleged rape-slaying will strain relations with the new U.S.-backed government and increase calls for changes in an agreement that exempts American soldiers from prosecution in Iraqi courts.
(Excerpt) Read more at ap.washingtontimes.com ...
ping
If they committed this crime, they deserve the death penalty. Case closed.
The ASSociated Press quoting anonymous sources who must remain anonymous to protect their ASSociated Press.
If they did, they deserve Iraqi Justice.
What are our laws on war crimes in a case like this?
"The ASSociated Press quoting anonymous sources who must remain anonymous to protect their ASSociated Press."
Exactly. No names=no facts=no credibility.
This just breaks your heart..the stone cold evil that is a stench in the Middle East does on occasion make our troops act like Iraqis or Saudis or Syrians or Iranians etc...
Get the hell out of here.
"The ASSociated Press quoting anonymous sources who must remain anonymous to protect their ASSociated Press."
Besides the antiAmerican MSM slanting the truth, terrorists have been known to kill Iraqis and blame it on Americans.
Innocent until proven guilty ESPECIALLY for our brave Marines who fight for our freedom.
They could at least say "alleged" attack. After all, Green did plead not guilty.
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Get the hell out of here.
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Just curious, why did this warrent a ban? Did some research and the guy has actually attacked the MSM, defended Bush, and trashed the media for attacking military men-so he doesn't seem to be a troll. Did i miss something?
I think I missed something. I didn't realize we are currently and strongly advocating execution for all rapists currently incarcerated in American prisons and if so, if said execution will be in the style of the two soldiers recently killed.
Personally, I don't like these "hand them over" advocates.
I agree. All that's been "reported" is mostly speculation too.
It is unfortunately the case that in any war, troops can get overwhelmed, lose focus, or just get so damn frustrated that something snaps. I can't excuse what these guys are accused of, but sh!t happens in war and our troops are under extreme pressure of an unreasonable kind. If they're found guilty, then they should face severe punishment, of course, but not killed, and not punished according to Iraqi law (IMO, anyway -- Middle-Easterns are pretty much crazy; even the "good ones" are pretty wacked out).
The troops should be given a punishment in line with how we deal with rapists and murderers in America -- if they are found guilty. So far, they are presumed innocent. We don't know enough yet to judge otherwise.
I'm inclined to wait until more verifiable facts come out, and to remember, even if the worst is true, these are our guys to deal with. We don't turn them over to others.
It is indeed heartbreaking. But let's see what the findings are before we judge.
How do we know that this is even true? The media is constantly lying about our troops.
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