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US soldier guilty over Iraq rape US soldier guilty over Iraq rape
(about 9 hours later)
A US Army soldier has been found guilty of conspiracy to rape and murder in the March 2006 killings of a 14-year-old Iraqi girl and her family, AP reports. A US soldier has been convicted of conspiracy to rape and murder for his role in the March 2006 killings of a 14-year-old Iraqi girl and her family.
Pfc Jesse Spielman was found guilty of conspiracy to commit rape, rape, housebreaking with intent to commit rape and four counts of felony murder. Pfc Jesse Spielman had admitted acting as a lookout for four other soldiers who carried out the attack in Mahmudiya and pleaded guilty to lesser offences.
The attack took place in Mahmudiya, about 20 miles (32km) south of Baghdad. But military prosecutors argued that this, as well as prior knowledge of the attack, amounted to conspiracy.
Pfc Spielman, who had pleaded guilty to lesser charges, faces a life sentence in jail. Pfc Spielman faces life in prison when he is sentenced later on Saturday.
The prosecution did not accuse Pfc Spielman of taking part in the rape or murders, but alleged he went to the house knowing what the others intended to do and served as a lookout, AP reported. Three of the five soldiers have already received sentences ranging from five to 100 years. The fifth faces trial in a civil court having been discharged from the army.
Pfc Spielman had pleaded guilty on Monday to lesser charges of conspiracy to obstructing justice, arson, wrongfully touching a corpse and drinking.
'Untrue' allegations'Untrue' allegations
One of the soldiers convicted in the case, Spc James Barker, testified earlier in the week that certain portions of a document drafted by investigators, based on his sworn statements, including references to Pfc Spielman's role in the conspiracy, were untrue. Earlier in the week-long court martial at Fort Campbell in Kentucky, Pfc Spielman of the 101st Airborne Division admitted arson, conspiracy to obstruct justice, wrongfully touching a corpse and drinking.
Although prosecutors did not accuse Pfc Spielman of taking part in the rape or murders, they argued he had participated in the planning of the attack while drinking whisky and playing cards with the other soldiers.
Other US investigationsOther US investigations
Another soldier convicted in the attack, Sgt Paul E. Cortez, testified that Pfc Spielman stood guard as his fellow soldiers raped the girl. One of the soldiers convicted of the attack, Sgt Paul Cortez, said that Pfc Spielman had stood within a few feet of them as they held down Abeer Qassim al-Janabi and had done nothing to stop them raping her.
The soldiers then killed Miss Janabi, her parents and her younger sister.
But another, Spc James Baker, testified that several portions of a sworn statement, which he had allowed investigators to draft, had falsely exaggerated Pfc Spielman's role in the attack.
On Friday evening, the military jury ruled that Pfc Spielman was guilty of conspiracy to commit rape, rape, housebreaking with intent to commit rape and four counts of felony murder.
He faces a mandatory life sentence, although the jury will decide if he is eligible for parole.
Spc Barker, Sgt Cortez and another soldier, Pf. Bryan L. Howard, pleaded guilty for their roles in the slayings and received sentences of five to 100 years under plea agreements with prosecutors.Spc Barker, Sgt Cortez and another soldier, Pf. Bryan L. Howard, pleaded guilty for their roles in the slayings and received sentences of five to 100 years under plea agreements with prosecutors.
Sentencing for Pfc Spielman is scheduled for Saturday morning, when jury will decide if he is eligible for parole. The alleged ringleader, former Pvt Steven Green was discharged from the army for a "personality disorder" before being charged. He faces a possible death sentence if found guilty by a civil court in Kentucky.
Pfc Spielman's conviction is the latest in a series of verdicts against US military personnel serving in Iraq who have been accused of crimes against Iraqi civilians, including murder and rape. On Friday, a US Marine sergeant was found guilty of murdering an Iraqi civilian and jailed for 15 years by a court martial in California.