Ex-Soldier Charged in Iraq Rape, Killing

[warpedskydiver 0]

Ex-Soldier Charged in Iraq Rape, Killing
By TIM WHITMIRE, Associated Press Writer
23 minutes ago

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Federal prosecutors charged a former U.S. soldier with murder and rape Monday following an investigation into the killing of an Iraqi woman and three members of her family.

Steven D. Green, a 21-year-old former private first class who was discharged from the Army "due to a personality disorder," appeared in a federal magistrate's courtroom in Charlotte Monday.

The charges grew out of a military investigation involving up to five soldiers in the March rape and killing of the woman in Mahmoudiya and three of her relatives, one of them a young girl believed to be about 5 years old.

Prosecutors said Green and others entered the home of a family of Iraqi civilians, where he and others raped the woman before Green shot her and her relatives. According to an accompanying affidavit, photos taken by Army investigators showed a burned body of "what appears to be a woman with blankets thrown over her upper torso."

FBI agents arrested Green on Friday in Marion, N.C., where he is being held without bond pending a transfer to Louisville, Ky.

The case is being handled by federal prosecutors there because Green, who served 11 months with the 101st Airborne Division, based at Fort Campbell, Ky., is no longer in the military. According to an affidavit filed with the criminal complaint, he was given an honorable discharge "before this incident came to light. Green was discharged due to a personality disorder."

He faces a possible death sentence if convicted of murder.

The affidavit, filed by FBI special agent Gregor J. Ahlers of Louisville, said Green and three other soldiers from the 101st's 502nd Infantry Regiment were working a traffic checkpoint in Mahmoudiya on March 12 when they conspired to rape a woman, who investigators estimated was 25 years old, who lived nearby.

According to the affidavit's account, the soldiers changed their clothes before going to the woman's residence to avoid detection. Once there, the affidavit said, Green took three members of the family _ an adult male and female, and a girl estimated to be 5 years old _ into a bedroom, after which shots were heard from inside.

"Green came to the bedroom door and told everyone, 'I just killed them. All are dead,'" the affidavit said.

The affidavit is based on interviews conducted by the FBI and investigators at Fort Campbell with three unidentified soldiers assigned to Green's platoon. One of the soldiers said he witnessed another soldier and Green rape the woman.

"After the rape, (the soldier) witnessed Green shoot the woman in the head two to three times," the affidavit said.

Ahlers said in the affidavit that he also reviewed photos taken by Army investigators in Iraq of bodies found inside a burned house, including photos of an Iraqi man, woman and young girl who all appear to have died of gunshot wounds. He said he also reviewed a photo of a burned body of "what appears to be a woman with blankets thrown over her upper torso."

An official familiar with details of the investigation in Iraq has told The Associated Press that a flammable liquid was used to burn the rape victim's body in a cover-up attempt. U.S. officials have said they believed the victims were killed in sectarian violence.

On Friday, the U.S. military acknowledged that Maj. Gen. James D. Thurman, commander of the 4th Infantry Division, had ordered a criminal investigation into the alleged slaying of a family in Mahmoudiya.

Four members of the 502nd have had their weapons taken away and were confined to a U.S. base near Mahmoudiya, officials said.

The suspects belong to the same unit as two soldiers kidnapped and killed south of Baghdad last month, a military official said on condition of anonymity because the case was under way.

The military has said that one and possibly both of the slain soldiers were tortured and beheaded. The official said the mutilation of the slain soldiers stirred feelings of guilt and led at least one member of the platoon to reveal the rape-slaying on June 22.

According to the affidavit filed Monday, investigators learned of the March 12 attack during a combat stress debriefing that occurred around June 20.

Green will have a preliminary hearing and a detention hearing on July 10 in Charlotte, and will then be brought to Louisville, said Marisa Ford, chief of the criminal division for the U.S. Attorney's Office in Louisville.

___

Associated Press writers Brett Barrouquere in Louisville and Mark Sherman in Washington contributed to this report.

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I will state right now that if this is true, this fuckwad caused the deaths of two members of his former unit besides just murdering 3 civilians.

This is what the death penalty if for and it should be used if this guy is found guilty.

All he needs is a trial, and possibly a firing squad.


I HATE BUDDY FUCKERS!

• Quote

[billvon 3,119]

>Federal prosecutors charged a former U.S. soldier with murder and
> rape Monday following an investigation into the killing of an Iraqi
> woman and three members of her family.

Looks like it's more than one:

(CNN) -- The U.S. military Monday released the names of five soldiers, including two sergeants, charged in connection with the alleged rape and murder of Iraqi civilians in Mahmoudiya, Iraq.

The military said that Sgt. Paul E. Cortez, Spc. James P. Barker, Pfc. Jesse V. Spielman, and Pfc. Bryan L. Howard were charged on Saturday in connection with their alleged participation in the rape and murder of an Iraqi female, and the murders of three other family members in March.
. . .
Reuters said identification cards and death certificates give the victim's name as Abeer Qassim Hamza al-Janabi.

[warpedskydiver 0]

If they are proven guilty in a Military Court Martial then let them hang for the offense.

Beware where the evidence comes from as usual.

My knee jerk reaction is that it happened, but I will await the trial and respect the outcome.

[rickjump1 0]

If they are executed, I hope Iraqi witnesses are present for the execution.

Do your part for global warming: ban beans and hold all popcorn farts.

[kenneth21441 0]

This really pisses me off.. Here we go again, some horney guys just could not find the time to look and not touch then to do what they did. They just let the little head think before the big head and I thought our soldiers where better then this... Sure loving ones hand would be better then serving time as bubbas b.itch but maybe thats what they want or will get....

Enough said: so if they are found for this then let the heads role....

Just another black eye for us all.....

Kenneth Potter
FAA Senior Parachute Rigger
Tactical Delivery Instructor (Jeddah, KSA)
FFL Gunsmith

[azdiver 0]

just bad apples that slipped through the cracks. but they way some people are exploiting it is just a disgraceful as the crime is. the media needs to stop trying to hang all of the soldiers for the actions of a few. if the crime was committed then they deserve what they get. but people need to remember that their are a lot of really great men and women over there doing a task that seems to be impossible and getting craped on at the same time by the people they are serving for. deepest apologies to the victims family

light travels faster than sound, that's why some people appear to be bright until you hear them speak

[billvon 3,119]

> just bad apples that slipped through the cracks.

"Slipped through the cracks?" They're recruiting these people to make enlistment goals:

---------------------
Racist extremists active in U.S. military
SPLC urges Rumsfeld to adopt zero-tolerance policy

July 7, 2006 -- Under pressure to meet wartime manpower goals, the U.S. military has relaxed standards designed to weed out racist extremists. Large numbers of potentially violent neo-Nazis, skinheads and other white supremacists are now learning the art of warfare in the armed forces.

Department of Defense investigators estimate thousands of soldiers in the Army alone are involved in extremist or gang activity. "We've got Aryan Nations graffiti in Baghdad," said one investigator. "That's a problem."

Southern Poverty Law Center President Richard Cohen urged Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld to adopt a zero-tolerance policy regarding racist extremism among members of the U.S. military.

"Because hate group membership and extremist activity are antithetical to the values and mission of our armed forces, we urge you to adopt a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to white supremacy in the military and to take all necessary steps to ensure that the policy is rigorously enforced," Cohen wrote in a letter to Rumsfeld.
-------------------------

Which results in stuff like this: (a song recently written by a marine in Iraq)

-------------------------
. . .then suddenly to my surprise
I looked up and saw her eyes
and I knew it was love at first sight
and she said

Durka Durka mohammed jihad
chirpa chirpa mo bakala
hajji girl i cant understand what you are saying

. . .

she took down a road a trip
and she pulled up to a shack
and as she opened the door I hit the floor
because her brother and father shouted

Durka Durka mohammed jihad
chirpa chirpa mo bakala

they pulled out their AK so i could see

And they said
Durka Durka mohammed jihad
chirpa chirpa mo bakala
so i grabbed her little sister and put her in front of me

as the bullets began to fly
blood sprayed from between her eyes
and then I laughed maniacally

then i hid behind the TV
and I locked a load in my M16
and I put those little fuckers to eternity
---------------------------------------------


>but they way some people are exploiting it is just a disgraceful as
>the crime is. the media needs to stop trying to hang all of the soldiers . . .

The Department of Justice and the US Department of Defense are "trying to hang all of the soldiers." Since we live in the USA, and not China, the media is free to report on what our government does. If you want to stop the people doing the accusing, talk to the DOJ.

[Hawkins121 0]

The song is pretty funny. A marine writing a song to blow off some steam is no big deal.

but the other guys.... if you put 17-19 year olds in life and death situations, there are going to be some fucked up things happening. Is it acceptable? hell no.. But its going to happen.. They will get a fair punishment.

[Skyrad 0]

I know the vast majority of servicemen out there are not bad guys and don't go around doing this sort of shit. I also know that there have been a couple incidents with British soldiers as well. However, there has been alot of incidents out there that have been reguarly making the news. I don't think this by any means an isolated case and wonder what the mindset behind these kind of incidences are.

When an author is too meticulous about his style, you may presume that his mind is frivolous and his content flimsy.
Lucius Annaeus Seneca

[Hawkins121 0]

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wonder what the mindset behind these kind of incidences are.

"I'm 18, I'm pissed off, I hate it here, I want to go home, I havent seen a vagina in 15 months; I hate these people, fuck you, fuck these people, fuck this place, fuck sand, fuck the sun, fuck MRE's, ahh fuck it..."

and then snap...

Is it really that big of a mystery?

[Skyrad 0]

Those are the thoughts of pretty much ever soldier at some point. Yet they don't all commit war crimes.

When an author is too meticulous about his style, you may presume that his mind is frivolous and his content flimsy.
Lucius Annaeus Seneca

[Hawkins121 0]

True. Most will not act on their thoughts. Unfortunatley a few will. I was just explaining the thought process.

[miked10270 0]

Since the crime took place in Iraq, then parhaps the trial & punishment should also take place there. Possibly this is the best message to send to all parties. The only question should be whether it is a Court Martial or civil trial, the requirement for interpreters and end result will surely be the same.

As for the publicity surrounding this... Well, we live in an age of information. The overall mentality of soldiers hasn't changed, I recall that during the 101st's (that Band of Brothers) advance through France, there were memos exchanged about their discipline & criminal activity, including charges of rape & murder of civilians. The court martial & summary execution of an entire platoon was suggested "to set an example"!!! Apparently, not a few soldiers were of the opinion that liberating a country entitled them to all the free shagging they wanted, and if the girl didn't agree, then she deserved all she got!

What HAS changed is the publicity of the standards & any failings of same. The public expect soldiers to adhere to the "Star-Trek" or "Hollywood" standard of behaviour. "Every one a Captain Kirk" while the reality falls far short of this. Always has. THe basic mentality of a human hasn't changed since ancient times when "Rape & Pillage" was the natural conclusion of any battle. What has changed is what information makes it from the front line to the home fires.

Mike.

Taking the piss out of the FrenchAmericans since before it was fashionable.

Prenait la pisse hors du FrançaisCanadiens méridionaux puisqu'avant lui à la mode.

[mikkey 0]

There are reports that the girl raped might have been as young as 14....

---------------------------------------------------------
When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

[akarunway 1]

Quote

Quote

wonder what the mindset behind these kind of incidences are.

Well they should not not have signed up and the fucking recruiters should not have let them. Thank your POTUS and all his buddies. DON R. Dick the dick K. Rove, et al.

I hold it true, whate'er befall;
I feel it, when I sorrow most;
'Tis better to have loved and lost
Than never to have loved at all.

• Quote

[billvon 3,119]

>A marine writing a song to blow off some steam is no big deal.

I think that if Iraqi soldiers started writing songs celebrating the torture and beheading of US soldiers, you'd be a bit peeved. Imagine what this song is doing for the people who knew the young girl who was raped and killed.

I'm sure that this marine thought this song was harmless. It is probably also going to get a lot of his fellow soldiers killed. Should that be a consideration?

[rehmwa 2]

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>It is probably also going to get a lot of his fellow soldiers killed.

Sure the song is bad, but I don't think listening to it will cause anyone to just drop dead, except in disgust, but that's less likely death than just vomiting a bit.

When someone gets killed, blame the person pulling the trigger or wielding the knife.

Just like the rapist should be punished, but there is nothing right at all about others from his division being murdered for his acts - that blame lies directly with the terrorists.

It's not 'revenge' killings. It's just killing. If it was revenge, then they'd kill the rapist, not just random other people.

...
Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants

[slug 1]

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When someone gets killed, blame the person pulling the trigger or wielding the knife.

Maybe after a full investiagtion the truth will come out. Could be a career breaker for the bad guy's NCO and OIC and others if there was a attempt at a cover up. Until the dust settles we'll with hold our opinion about who should be blamed.

Quote

Just like the rapist should be punished, but there is nothing right at all about others from his division being murdered for his acts - that blame lies directly with the terrorists.

From what we read it's a little more personnel than that. The rape/murder and subequent revenge killing happened at the platoon level. Thats 35 soldiers includeing a officer

We also read It wasn't until after the revenge killings that another member of the platoon broke down and reported the rape/killing.

Quote

It's not 'revenge' killings. It's just killing. If it was revenge, then they'd kill the rapist, not just random other people.

The rapist wasn't available for killing in Iraq. Somehow after the rape/killing and before the revenge killings the rapist was sent home and honorably discharged from the army, for a "personality disorder".

Both the rape/killing and the revenge were terriable acts. Who knew what? when? and could any of this been prevented.? If the system had worked the first time.

The the Army leadership has mind set of "100% execution and zero negative indicators" This is hard to achieve when dealing with human's and some people make mistakes. IMO It breeds coverup

R.I.P.

[SkyDekker 1,465]

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When someone gets killed, blame the person pulling the trigger or wielding the knife.

So when a newspaper breaks a story that could possibly tip off the opposition and get some Americans killed, then it is not really the fault of the newspaper, since they did not actively pull the trigger....right?

Or, when people claim that published dissent in the US encourages the enemy and results in more American soldiers killed, are they wrong?

[billvon 3,119]

>When someone gets killed, blame the person pulling the trigger
>or wielding the knife.

Works on a small scale, but unfortunately not on a large one. I won't go through the list of people who did not pull the trigger or thrust the knife but whom we consider to be very, very guilty.

I agree that the person who does the killing is the _most_ guilty - but that doesn't mean that we shouldn't try to reduce US casualties through ameliorative measures. Perhaps those measures might include better body armor, or better training for US troops. Perhaps they might involve patrolling the Green Zone at night, or being very careful about who is allowed in.. Perhaps they might involve not needlessly killing Iraqi civilians, or writing songs celebrating that. Doesn't mean that the armor manufacturer, or the patroller, or the song writer _caused_ any deaths - but if they can act to reduce deaths, it's probably a good idea.

[rehmwa 2]

Quote

Quote

When someone gets killed, blame the person pulling the trigger or wielding the knife.

So when a newspaper breaks a story that could possibly tip off the opposition and get some Americans killed, then it is not really the fault of the newspaper, since they did not actively pull the trigger....right?

Or, when people claim that published dissent in the US encourages the enemy and results in more American soldiers killed, are they wrong?

Since you got the least of the intent of anyone, I'll do yours. (Though Bill got it right, he can't help but write his agreement as a dissent.)

1 - The newspaper is not responsible for additional killings. They are responsible for the release of classified info. They would not be tried for killing, they would be tried, or at least judged for the contributing factor. Those that claim the newspaper is "responsible for the killings" I disagree with.

2 - Publishing dissent is not killing. It does encourage the enemy and that should be considered. However, the enemy that does the killing is responsible for the killing. Those that say the newpaper killed more soldiers are wrong. They are only responsible for stupid and, possibly purposeful, lack of judgment.

Separating direct choices and actions from 2nd, 3rd and 4th level root causes should be simple for you guys. Each is a separate act and needs to be judged as such. Sometimes the penalties for the more subjective causal acts could be as severe or more severe than the direct act, but it's still separate things.

Your response indicates that if you killed my cousin, then it's ok for me to go kill your brother. Or at least that my action is your fault rather than my choice. I completely disagree with that. Two separate things - we spend a lot of time in assigning blame with analysis of sublevel causes. That's nonsense. The analysis is useful for corrective lessons learned and avoiding future repeats, but not for punishment or blame of the direct participants.

Or at least you didn't even bother to understand my point in your rush to disagree with someone.

Edit: the tolerance of some to accept "excuses" for bad behavior is nuts. "Cause" has it's place, but not in the assignment of guilt for specific actions.

...
Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants

[rehmwa 2]

Quote

>I agree that the person who does the killing is the _most_ guilty - but

Nuts,

If I hand you a knife and you kill someone with it. YOU are 100% responsible for the killing. I am responsible for handing you the knife - I am responsible for not stopping you. I am not responsible for the killing act. (However, accessory to killing carries penalties just as severe, but it's a separate crime that needs addressing SEPARATELY.) If one can't separate acts and assess them individually, then it's clear that their thinking is compromised on the situation.

...
Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants

[billvon 3,119]

>If I hand you a knife and you kill someone with it. YOU are 100%
>responsible for the killing. I am responsible for handing you the knife - I
>am responsible for not stopping you. I am not responsible for the killing
> act.

Right, that's what I'm saying. The person who actually kills bears responsibility for the killing, and bears most of the guilt for the crime. Other people (like the person who paid him to do it) may also bear guilt for the crime. We call such people accessories, or conspirators.

As a concrete example, Osama Bin Laden did not kill anyone on 9/11 - but he bears a lot of the guilt for that crime.

[rehmwa 2]

Quote

>Right, that's what I'm saying. The person who actually kills bears responsibility for the killing, and bears most of the guilt for the crime. Other people (like the person who paid him to do it) may also bear guilt for the crime. We call such people accessories, or conspirators.

As I said - we were agreeing in the first place. The rest is semantics. But I disagree that other people bear guilt for "the" crime. Those other people bear guilt for their own distinct crimes and I purposefully use that position to make the point. Murder is a completely different crime than accessory to murder - even when we are talking about the same victim.

To say otherwise in based on an emotional appeal instead of the facts. Drama as it were since many can't assess the true seriousness of an accessory type crime without the visceral response to the primary crime in front of their eyes.

But this is fine tuning and doesn't take us any farther, so we can desist if you like. And as far as "bearing guilt" for some outcome, that's totally a digression - some people feel guilt for things they had no impact on either directly or indirectly, we can't punish them for actions they didn't take.

...
Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants

[billvon 3,119]

>But I disagree that other people bear guilt for "the" crime.

Sure they do. People can be punished as accessory to murder even if they did not pull the trigger. They bear guilt both legally and morally.

>we can't punish them for actions they didn't take.

I think we are arguing semantics, and we actually agree. I think you would agree that Bin Laden CAN be punished for the 9/11 attacks, even if he did not actually hijack or fly the airplanes used in the attack.