Soldier given life for Iraq murders

[Turborama]

Source: PA

A US soldier convicted of murdering four blindfolded and bound Iraqis has been sentenced to life in prison. Sgt John Hatley was found guilty of premeditated murder and conspiracy in the execution-style killings of the prisoners.

The prosecution said Hatley acted as "judge, jury and executioner" to hatch the plot and carry out the killings in spring 2007.

Hatley and two others took the men to a canal in Baghdad's West Rasheed neighbourhood where they shot them in the back of the head with 9mm pistols.

The soldier, who had served in the first Gulf War, Kosovo and in Iraq, denied the charges.

Army prosecutor Capt Derrick Grace said that testimony had pointed to "a complete breakdown of discipline and crimes that are among the worst of a soldier". He said Hatley oversaw the shootings of detainees and had told his comrades they were going to "take care" of the Iraqis.

Read more: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5iyFj9sc1LGOP1jyr2OlxfP2y1jRw

[NavyDavy]

1. he should be sent to an Iraqi prison for life.....he'll have it easy here

what a coward! no honor, these are the people the Army wants in their ranks now a days.....murderers, thieves, rapist, etc

[OwnedByFerrets]

2. Even though he never pulled a single trigger, B*sh has murdered

over One Million. Where is HIS justice?

[peace13]

4. Justice trickles up don't ya know?

After we put every soldier in jail then we can look to those who were truly responsible for the blood shed.

[atreides1]

6. This shows the difference

Between the have nots and the have it alls.

[mike_c]

3. I'm shocked, but pleased....

I had expected either a whitewash or a slap on the wrist. I'm pleased with the verdict and the sentence.

[atreides1]

7. No Whitewash

The Army has been pretty good about bringing criminals to justice, it's the Marines who have been putting on show trials.

[90-percent]

5. Given his status

Given his non-elite status of enlisted soldier, this is the type of justice a person at this level should receive.

Too bad he wasn't an elite, then he could have given the orders to do this to dozens of prisoners and would have ended up with a MEDAL OF FREEDOM instead of life in prison.

This two tiered justice system we have in America ROCKS, BABY!

-90% jimmy