Former U.S. soldier indicted in rape, killing of Iraqi teen and her family

[Leo 9]

Former U.S. soldier indicted in rape, killing of Iraqi teen and her family


LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) - A former soldier in the 101st Airborne Division was indicted Thursday in the rape and death of a 14-year-old Iraqi girl and the slayings of three of her relatives last March.

Former army private Steven Green, 21, was charged with murder, aggravated sexual assault and conspiracy, among other offences, in the federal indictment. If convicted, Green could face life in prison or the death penalty, a Justice Department statement said.

Green's defence lawyer, Patrick Bouldin, said that he hadn't seen the indictment but that his client intends to plead not guilty and "firmly stands behind that plea."

The incident occurred March 12 in Mahmoudiya, Iraq, a village about 30 kilometres south of Baghdad, where Green was stationed with the division's 502nd Infantry Regiment.

The indictment alleges that Green and others raped the girl and burned her body to conceal their crimes. The indictment also alleges that Green and four others stationed at a checkpoint nearby killed her father, mother and six-year-old sister.

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http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/World/2006/11/02/2218983-ap.html