This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-23076544
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Marine Sgt Lawrence Hutchins conviction dropped in Iraq murder | Marine Sgt Lawrence Hutchins conviction dropped in Iraq murder |
(35 minutes later) | |
A US military court has overturned the conviction of a Marine found guilty in the 2006 murder of an Iraqi civilian. | A US military court has overturned the conviction of a Marine found guilty in the 2006 murder of an Iraqi civilian. |
The military appeals court ruled Sgt Lawrence Hutchins was improperly held in solitary confinement for seven days without access to a lawyer. | The military appeals court ruled Sgt Lawrence Hutchins was improperly held in solitary confinement for seven days without access to a lawyer. |
Sgt Hutchins, the leader of a unit found to have killed a 52-year-old retired policeman, has served about half of an 11-year sentence. | Sgt Hutchins, the leader of a unit found to have killed a 52-year-old retired policeman, has served about half of an 11-year sentence. |
His lawyer Maj Babu Kaza said he believed Sgt Hutchins would be freed. | His lawyer Maj Babu Kaza said he believed Sgt Hutchins would be freed. |
"Sgt Hutchins and his family have suffered enough with this case, and it's time for this to be over," Maj Kaza said. "Enough is enough." | "Sgt Hutchins and his family have suffered enough with this case, and it's time for this to be over," Maj Kaza said. "Enough is enough." |
Shot in ditch | Shot in ditch |
The case centres on the shooting death of retired Iraqi policeman Hashim Ibrahim Awad during a raid in Hamdaniya, near Baghdad, in April 2006. | The case centres on the shooting death of retired Iraqi policeman Hashim Ibrahim Awad during a raid in Hamdaniya, near Baghdad, in April 2006. |
Prosecutors said the unit led by Sgt Hutchins abducted Awad from his house when they could not find a suspected insurgent who lived next door. | Prosecutors said the unit led by Sgt Hutchins abducted Awad from his house when they could not find a suspected insurgent who lived next door. |
Awad was taken to ditch and shot in the head at least 10 times. According to prosecutors Sgt Hutchins's unit later placed a rifle and shovel by his body to make it appear as though he had been planting a roadside bomb. | Awad was taken to ditch and shot in the head at least 10 times. According to prosecutors Sgt Hutchins's unit later placed a rifle and shovel by his body to make it appear as though he had been planting a roadside bomb. |
Weeks after the murder, Sgt Hutchins was being questioned by military investigators in Iraq when he invoked his right to a lawyer. | Weeks after the murder, Sgt Hutchins was being questioned by military investigators in Iraq when he invoked his right to a lawyer. |
At that point he was put under guard in a caravan where he was prevented from calling a lawyer or anyone else. After seven days there, investigators asked to search his belongings and promised he would be able to tell his side of the story the following morning. | At that point he was put under guard in a caravan where he was prevented from calling a lawyer or anyone else. After seven days there, investigators asked to search his belongings and promised he would be able to tell his side of the story the following morning. |
Prosecutors' options | Prosecutors' options |
According to the ruling, Sgt Hutchins was interrogated the next day and provided a written confession. | According to the ruling, Sgt Hutchins was interrogated the next day and provided a written confession. |
The Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces found on Wednesday that the investigators had improperly resumed questioning Sgt Hutchins without a lawyer, violating his rights. | The Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces found on Wednesday that the investigators had improperly resumed questioning Sgt Hutchins without a lawyer, violating his rights. |
The written confession should not have been allowed into evidence, the appeals court found in a 4-1 ruling. | |
Navy prosecutors can now appeal the decision to the US Supreme Court, let the ruling stand, or send the case back for a retrial. | Navy prosecutors can now appeal the decision to the US Supreme Court, let the ruling stand, or send the case back for a retrial. |
The seven men other implicated in the incident have spent less than 18 months in prison. Some received lesser sentences in exchange for testimony. | The seven men other implicated in the incident have spent less than 18 months in prison. Some received lesser sentences in exchange for testimony. |
Previous version
1
Next version