Personnel assignments didn’t rape and murder that 14-year-old little girl

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticleNew.asp?xfile=data/focusoniraq/2006/August/focusoniraq_August53.xml§ion=focusoniraq

US court hears closing arguments in Iraq rape case

BAGHDAD - A prosecutor told a US military court on Tuesday four soldiers should be court-martialled on charges of murder and the rape of a 14-year-old Iraqi girl because the case had nothing to do with the strains of war.

“Murder, not war. Rape, not war. That’s what we’re here talking about today. Not all that business about cold food, checkpoints, personnel assignments,” the prosecutor, Captain Alex Pickands, said as the court heard closing arguments.

“Cold food didn’t kill that family. Personnel assignments didn’t rape and murder that 14-year-old little girl. They gathered together over cards and booze and came up with a plan to rape and murder that little girl.”

[Selatius]

1. Somehow I think these war criminals will get pardons like Calley

Call my cynical, but I just can't help but feel they'll get a simple slap on the wrist.

[Tempest]

2. I agree

And watch as the response in Iraq means the deaths of more U.S. soldiers.

[FlavaKreemSnak]

3. After the rape and murders, he wrote that he began to grill chicken wings

Defense Attorney Captain Jimmie Culp was blowing chewing gum bubbles while Yribe, sitting to his left, began sucking on a red lollipop during the testimony....

Special Agent Gary Griesmyer recounted Cortez' account of the day. "While they were playing cards and drinking Iraqi whiskey, the idea came to go out to an Iraqi house, rape a woman and murder her family," he testified.

Cortez said Barker told the young girl to "shut up" after she was raped, Griesmyer said.

Bierce said Barker told him he poured kerosene from a lamp on to the girl. It was not clear who set her on fire.

Barker later signed a sworn statement based on the interview, in which he said that on the day of the attack he, Cortez, Spielman and Green had been playing cards and drinking whisky mixed with an energy drink. They then went to the rear of the checkpoint where they were based to hit golf balls.

Green said he wanted to go to a house and kill some Iraqis, Barker wrote in his sworn statement.

After the rape and murders, he wrote that he began to grill chicken wings.

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