4 GIs could face death in Iraq girl's rape, killings
4 GIs could face death in Iraq girl's rape, killings
New York Times News Service
Copyright © 2006, Chicago Tribune
Published September 4, 2006
BAGHDAD -- An Army investigator has recommended a court-martial on charges that could lead to the death penalty for four infantrymen accused of raping a 14-year-old girl and killing her and her family in March, according to a report issued Sunday.
In his recommendation, Col. Dwight Warren agreed with military prosecutors that "reasonable grounds exist to believe that each accused committed the offense for which he is charged," including premeditated murder, which under the Uniform Code of Military Justice could be punishable by death.
Defense lawyers said they would file objections to the recommendation, which goes to a convening authority that will decide whether to follow it.
The finding comes three days after another Army investigator recommended that four other soldiers, accused of killing three Iraqi men during a May 9 assault on an island north of Baghdad, face the death penalty in courts-martial.
The four soldiers involved in the most recent recommendation are charged with raping the girl and killing her, her parents and 7-year-old sister in the family's home in Mahmoudiya.
Spec. James Barker, Pfc. Jesse Spielman, Pfc. Bryan Howard and Sgt. Paul Cortez are each charged with rape and premeditated murder. The four, members of Company B of the 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry, 101st Airborne Division, are also charged with arson; prosecutors accused them of burning the body of the teenager in an attempt to conceal evidence.
Warren's report was provided to The New York Times by lawyers in the case.
New York Times News Service
Copyright © 2006, Chicago Tribune
Published September 4, 2006
BAGHDAD -- An Army investigator has recommended a court-martial on charges that could lead to the death penalty for four infantrymen accused of raping a 14-year-old girl and killing her and her family in March, according to a report issued Sunday.
In his recommendation, Col. Dwight Warren agreed with military prosecutors that "reasonable grounds exist to believe that each accused committed the offense for which he is charged," including premeditated murder, which under the Uniform Code of Military Justice could be punishable by death.
Defense lawyers said they would file objections to the recommendation, which goes to a convening authority that will decide whether to follow it.
The finding comes three days after another Army investigator recommended that four other soldiers, accused of killing three Iraqi men during a May 9 assault on an island north of Baghdad, face the death penalty in courts-martial.
The four soldiers involved in the most recent recommendation are charged with raping the girl and killing her, her parents and 7-year-old sister in the family's home in Mahmoudiya.
Spec. James Barker, Pfc. Jesse Spielman, Pfc. Bryan Howard and Sgt. Paul Cortez are each charged with rape and premeditated murder. The four, members of Company B of the 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry, 101st Airborne Division, are also charged with arson; prosecutors accused them of burning the body of the teenager in an attempt to conceal evidence.
Warren's report was provided to The New York Times by lawyers in the case.
posted by Carlos T Mock at 5:31 AM
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