US soldier in Iraq gang rape gets 90-year sentence

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N16461266.htm


Background

Iraq in turmoil

More FORT CAMPBELL, Ky., Nov 16 (Reuters) - One of four U.S. soldiers accused of raping a 14-year-old Iraqi girl before killing her and her family was conditionally sentenced on Thursday to up to 90 years in prison with the possibility of parole.

The sentence -- which is subject to review by a higher military authority and could be reduced -- was imposed on Specialist James Barker after a two-day court-martial. He had pleaded guilty to rape and murder and agreed to testify against others charged in the case in exchange for escaping the death penalty.

[ECH1969]

1. Soldier grins and confesses to rape

Fort Campbell, Kentucky: One of four US soldiers accused of raping a 14-year-old Iraqi girl last spring showed little remorse and even smiled during a confession to charges he conspired to kill her and her family.

Even before the hearing on Wednesday to announce a plea agreement, James P. Barker, 23, slapped hands with other soldiers and grinned as he smoked a cigarette in the rain. A bailiff scolded him.

And when he described for the judge the assault in his own words, he gave vivid details of the rape with a deadpan delivery.

"That's pretty much all I have to say," Barker muttered with a shrug after describing raping the screaming girl. Barker agreed to plead guilty to the charges to avoid the death penalty, his civilian attorney David Sheldon said.

http://www.gulfnews.com/world/U.S.A/10083150.html

[peacebird]

2. cold comfort, but this is closer to justice than any of the other sentences so far

that poor little girl apparently heard the gunshots and god only knows what else as her family was slaughtered while she was gang raped...

[ECH1969]

3. They also killed her five year old sister for the fun of it

[Disturbed]

4. He should have received Life without Parole.

He is obviously a Sociopath that will never change.

[City Lights]

7. Yup, shoulda been life without parole.

x(

[peacebird]

5. at least they didn't rape the little one too.... this case makes me ill

When (if ever) do you think the full extent of the Abu Ghraib images will come out?

Sad thing is, they could be called "bad apples" when the story broke - but that was BEFORE "tough interogations" (aka: torture) became the law of our land.....

[roamer65]

8. He won't be "slapping hands"after a year or two...

...in prison. Child murderers are NOT popular in prisons.

[Withywindle]

6. Too bad it's not in an Iraqi prison. n/t