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US soldier guilty over Iraq rape US soldier sentenced to 110 years
(about 9 hours later)
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. A US soldier has been sentenced to 110 years in prison for his role in the rape and murder of a 14-year-old Iraqi girl and the killing of her family.
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. Private Jesse Spielman was convicted of conspiracy to rape and murder.
But military prosecutors argued that this, as well as prior knowledge of the attack, amounted to conspiracy. He said he acted as a lookout for four other soldiers who carried out the attack in Mahmudiya in March 2006.
Pfc Spielman faces life in prison when he is sentenced later on Saturday. Pfc Spielman was given the longest sentence of the group. Three other soldiers pleaded guilty and received sentences between five and 100 years.
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. The fifth man faces trial in a civil court having been discharged from the army.
'Untrue' allegations'Untrue' allegations
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.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.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
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.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.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.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.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.
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.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.
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. On Friday, a US marine sergeant was found guilty of murdering an Iraqi civilian in a separate attack, and jailed for 15 years by a court martial in California.