Murder trial opens for Army sniper

[unhappycamper]

Murder trial opens for Army sniper
By Bradley Brooks - The Associated Press
Posted : Friday Feb 8, 2008 9:23:16 EST

BAGHDAD — An Army sniper went on trial Friday on charges of killing an Iraqi civilian and planting an AK47 on his body to make him look like an insurgent.

Two other soldiers have faced similar charges in the same killing and two others. Those men were acquitted of the murder charges but were convicted of planting evidence on the bodies of the dead Iraqis.

Sgt. Evan Vela of St. Anthony, Idaho, faced a court-martial on one count of premeditated murder, making a false official statement and of conduct prejudicial to good order and discipline.

Military prosecutors say the killings occurred on April 14, April 27 and May 11 near Iskandariyah, a mostly Sunni Arab city 30 miles south of Baghdad.

Vela, Staff Sgt. Michael A. Hensley of Candler, N.C., and Spc. Jorge G. Sandoval Jr. of Laredo, Texas, were assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 501st Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, based at Fort Richardson, Alaska. Hensley and Sandoval have since had their ranks reduced as part of their sentences.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/02/ap_velatrial_080208/



uhc comment: Previous thread in today's Army Times --> http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=259x11073