Ex-Blackwater contractor sentenced to life in Iraq shootings

[Eugene]

Source: Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — A former Blackwater security contractor was sentenced Wednesday to life in prison for his role in the 2007 shooting of unarmed civilians in Iraq that left 14 people dead.

Federal judge Royce Lamberth issued the sentence after a succession of friends and relatives requested leniency for Nicholas Slatten, who was found guilty of first-degree murder by a jury in December.

Prosecutors charged that Slatten, 35, was the first to fire shots in the September 2007 massacre of Iraqi civilians at a crowded traffic circle in Baghdad. In all, 10 men, two women and two boys, ages 9 and 11, were killed.

The defense had argued that Slatten and other Blackwater contractors opened fire only after they saw what they mistakenly thought was a potential suicide car bomber moving quickly toward their convoy.

-snip-

By ASHRAF KHALIL
2 hours ago


Read more: https://apnews.com/9f3c0b75808845aba7991eac7cb6183f

[empedocles]

1. How about the Blackwater founders?

[sandensea]

2. I think we're looking at Cheeto's next pardon

[magicarpet]

3. I am sure he will dive at the chance to pardon this Nazi...

... trDump will think it will look so pResidential to his Fascist followers.

[sandensea]

4. +1

To those paying attention, nothing surprises anyone anymore when it comes to the Orange Blob.

[Lucky Luciano]

6. I was going to say the same thing. Bet money on it. nt

[sandensea]

8. When it comes to Cheeto pardons, the more vile the better

Next up: Charles Manson.



"Sharon Tate asked for it! Never liked her acting. BAD!"

[Ferrets are Cool]

5. It's good, but a drop in the ocean...the perpetrator is walking around

scot-free. And THE war criminals are living the high life.

[Duppers]

7. Exactly! + 1000 nt

Erik Prince.

+ Dick Cheney, Rumsfeld, most of Bush jr's admin.