Army Jails Soldier for Abusing Troops

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Army Jails Soldier for Abusing Troops
November 25, 2009
Knight Ridder/Tribune

PLYMOUTH, Ohio -- A U.S. military court has demoted an Oklahoma Soldier to the rank of private and jailed him for mistreating troops in Iraq, behavior discovered during the investigation into the suicide of one Soldier, Pvt. Keiffer Wilhelm, 19.

Former Sgt. Jarrett Taylor, 23, of Edmond, was convicted at a special court-martial at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, that ended on Friday. Wilhelm's father, Shane, his wife Shelly, both of Plymouth, and Shane's older brother Shawn, were there for the court proceedings.

"It took two full days. ... It was a jury-type of thing," Shane Wilhelm said.

There were about 10 hours of opening statements and testimony Thursday and another seven hours of court proceedings Friday. Wilhelm estimated the jury deliberated for four to five hours before finding Taylor guilty of making false official statements and cruelty and maltreatment of subordinates.

Prosecutors "stumbled" at the beginning of Taylor's trial, Wilhelm said, but "sent the message home" during closing arguments.

Rest of article at: http://www.military.com/news/article/army-jails-soldier-for-abusing-troops.html?col=1186032310810