British soldier cleared of killing Iraqi boy

[Judi Lynn]

British soldier cleared of killing Iraqi boy
May 25, 2006, 15:30 GMT

London - A British soldier was Thursday cleared of killing a 15-year-old Iraqi boy who drowned after allegedly being forced into a canal at gunpoint in southern Iraq three years ago.

The judge at a court martial in Colchester, south-east Britain, ruled that Lance Corporal James Cooke, 22, of the Irish Guards, should be found not guilty of manslaughter on legal grounds.

He gave no reasons or explanation.

The trial of three other soldiers accused of killing the teenager continues.

The court heard earlier that Ahmad Jabbar Kareem - who could not swim - struggled in 'obvious distress' in the Shatt al-Basra canal in Basra in May 2003 before disappearing under the water.
(snip/...)

http://news.monstersandcritics.com/uk/article_1166915.php/British_soldier_cleared_of_killing_Iraqi_boy

[MrPrax]

1. Here's a Picture...

Of the 15 year old boy who will never get to see his British killers save his country from evil.

Mine is the first generation able to contemplate the possibility that we may live our entire lives without going to war or sending our children to war.
Tony Blair

[Judi Lynn]

4. What a damned shame. He looks like such a nice kid, too.

Thanks for posting that photo. It's such a very sad, sad, cruel end to a very young life.

[Benhurst]

2. Yeah. Sure.

Tony, you have an appointment at The Hague.

[Henny Penny]

3. Luckily the BBC can run this story to

deflect any scrutiny that might be warranted...

"Marines' Iraq conduct scrutinised

The commander of the US Marine Corps is going to Iraq to reinforce standards of behaviour, after allegations that marines unlawfully killed civilians.

In a statement, Gen Michael Hagee said marines risked becoming "indifferent to the loss of human life".

Earlier, the US military said it was investigating the alleged killing of an Iraqi civilian by marines last month.

Another inquiry is investigating allegations that marines killed at least 15 Iraqi civilians last year.

The victims, in Haditha, included women and children. "

This all a small price to pay for the great hope that democracy brings, no doubt.

:sarcasm: