Reuters: Soldier in Iraqi gang rape case pleads guilty

[Eugene]

Soldier in Iraqi gang rape case pleads guilty

Reuters
Wednesday, November 15, 2006; 11:54 AM

FT. CAMPBELL, Kentucky (Reuters) - One of four U.S. soldiers accused of raping
a 14-year-old Iraqi girl before murdering her and her family pleaded guilty
to the charges on Wednesday at the start of his court-martial at a Kentucky
military base.

Spc. James Barker pleaded guilty to rape and murder. His lawyer said earlier
he would cooperate with prosecutors.

-snip-

Cortez was also arraigned Wednesday at the start of his court-martial. He did
not enter a plea, but was expected to in mid-December.

Full article: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/11/15/AR2006111500726.html

[no_hypocrisy]

1. Wil he be hung next to Saddam? n/t

[951-Riverside]

2. Expect a stpry from his wife or mother telling us that he shouldnt serve any time n/t

[acmavm]

3. Wonder if this was to head the Iraqi's off? They were demanding

to try these guys.

[Nihil]

11. Everyone was so fired up to let them "try" Saddam ...

... they should have sent these bastards for the next session ...
if it's fair enough for him, it's fair enough for them ...

[catnhatnh]

4. "Kay.... by the story...

...death penalty is off the table..though as a death penalty opponent this is the closest I would ever like to skirt...you are talking people whom most likely at some point discussed the relative values of Iraqi vs US lives...And these scum both saw the 14 year old as an appropriate target of the lust of a squad (sure-she wants all of us.)


At this point I must stop...Never before have I cried or been stopped by shame from posting on a


it sucks the death penalty is wrong

I am ashamed

[zann725]

5. A gang rape, and the accused is one of the lowest-ranks in Army?

Were there no Officers, or other higher-up's also present and raping? Were any tried but the lowest ranking again?

[rodeodance]

6. Soldier in Iraqi gang rape case pleads guilty

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20061115/ts_nm/crime_iraq_soldiers_dc

Soldier in Iraqi gang rape case pleads guilty

2 hours, 23 minutes ago

FT. CAMPBELL, Kentucky (Reuters) - One of four U.S. soldiers accused of raping a 14-year-old Iraqi girl before murdering her and her family pleaded guilty to the charges on Wednesday at the start of his court-martial at a Kentucky military base.
ADVERTISEMENT

Spc. James Barker pleaded guilty to rape and murder. His lawyer said earlier he would cooperate with prosecutors.

He provided graphic testimony to military investigators about the March 2006 incident at Mahmudiya that was used at a military proceeding in Baghdad last August, resulting in charges against the four and one former soldier.

The others charged with rape and murder were Pfc. Jesse Spielman, Sgt. Paul Cortez, and Pfc. Bryan Howard. In addition former soldier Steven Green has been charged in a civilian court and is awaiting trial in a Kentucky jail.

[texpatriot2004]

7. This is the 3rd thread on this subject. One is on the greatest page

not sure if the other made it there.

[Heidi]

8. Kick.

:kick:

[guruoo]

9. Soldier: Hate fueled murders

Article published Nov 16, 2006
Soldier: Hate fueled murders
Former soldier accused of Iraq rape-slaying describes crimes
By CHANTAL ESCOTO
The Leaf-Chronicle

The 2nd Brigade Combat Team soldiers charged in the rape and murder of a 14-year-old Iraqi girl and her family were motivated by hate, one of the accused said in open court Wednesday.

"(The Iraqis) could smile at you and shoot you in the face without ever thinking about it," said Spc. James Barker, who pleaded guilty to premeditated murder, rape and other charges related to the death of a 14-year-old Iraqi girl and her family in Mahmoudiya, Iraq, about 20 miles south of Baghdad.

Barker showed little remorse and even smiled at times during the trial.

Also charged in the case are Sgt. Paul Cortez, Pfc. Jesse Spielman, Pfc. Bryan L. Howard and former Pvt. Steven Green. Cortez and Howard deferred entering pleas during their arraignments, and Spielman has yet to be arraigned on his charges.

Green, who has pleaded not guilty to charges of murder and sexual assault, is being tried in a federal court because he was discharged from the Army before the charges were made.

<snip>
http://theleafchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061116/NEWS01/611160328

[Why Syzygy]

10. this is what we knew

would happen. Since 2003 .. oh make that 1960 something. Men do not behave well in war. And a fair percentage of them continue to freak out when they come home!

Is Mr. and Mrs. USA waking up yet? War? Who wants WAR?
To hang one guy?

[MetaTrope]

12. Just wait til he gets out on parole

I'm sure raping and murdering a family in their home had no effect on him at all, oh no indeed...