US seeks delay in case of ex-soldier accused of killing, raping Iraqis

[Judi Lynn]

US seeks delay in case of ex-soldier accused of killing, raping Iraqis
14 minutes ago



LOUISVILLE, United States (AFP) - US prosecutors have asked to delay the indictment and arraignment of a former soldier charged with murder and rape in the deaths of four Iraqi family members, according to court documents filed.

Steven D. Green, 21, is accused of being the ringleader of a group soldiers who broke into a house near Mahmudiyah and burned the bodies of their victims after killing them to make it look like sectarian violence on March 12.
(snip)

Prosecutors said in a court filing published Thursday that they need more time to coordinate the investigation and avoid scheduling conflicts with a military hearing examining the charges against the five soldiers still in Iraq who have been charged in the case.

"It is unreasonable to expect that witnesses and evidence from Iraq will be available almost simultaneously to military prosecutors in Iraq and the Department of Justice prosecutors in the Western District of Kentucky," the motion filed in Louisville, Kentucky said.
(snip/...)

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20060720/pl_afp/iraqunrestusmilitary

[Lerkfish]

1. they only JUST NOW request a delay because...

1. They realize they can't control the evidence directly connecting this man to orders from superiors.
2. They have suddenly obtained information that makes them realize he will not be a "good soldier" and will implicate superiors.


er...you pick.

[IndianaGreen]

2. Sounds like options 1 & 2

All of the above!

[Robeson]

9. By Jove, I think you've....

...got it!

[Barrett808]

3. US seeks delay in case of ex-soldier accused of killing, raping Iraqis

LOUISVILLE, United States (AFP) - US prosecutors have asked to delay the indictment and arraignment of a former soldier charged with murder and rape in the deaths of four Iraqi family members, according to court documents filed.

Steven D. Green, 21, is accused of being the ringleader of a group soldiers who broke into a house near Mahmudiyah and burned the bodies of their victims after killing them to make it look like sectarian violence on March 12.

The alleged incident only came to light on June 20 after a "combat stress debriefing" of other members of Green's unit.

The former private with the US Army's storied 101st Airborne Division could face the death penalty if convicted over the latest alleged atrocities to taint the image of US soldiers in Iraq.

...

Prosecutors said in a court filing published Thursday that they need more time to coordinate the investigation and avoid scheduling conflicts with a military hearing examining the charges against the five soldiers still in Iraq who have been charged in the case.

(more)

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20060720/pl_afp/iraqunrestusmilitary

[Az_lefty]

4. since they can't exhume the body...

the prosecution is going to have a real problem with this case.

[Disturbed]

5. Isn't the murder of the girl, her parents and her

7 yr. old sister even more serious than the rape? It seems that Corp. Media is fixated on the rape, which, of course, is horrendous yet the 4 murders are the most serious acts.

[w4rma]

7. Ideally. (nt)

[uppityperson]

6. Try him for murder.

[jwirr]

8. This crime took place months ago - how much longer do they need?

Also the longer we wait the more soldiers from that unit will be targeted for revenge. It is not fair to the families of the rest of the unit. Their soldiers are setting ducks waiting for revenge for an act they did not do. This trial calls for swift justice now that will satisfy the family and friends of the victim because they will continue the revenge until they get it.