US Marine agrees to lesser charges in Iraq murder

[Judi Lynn]

US Marine agrees to lesser charges in Iraq murder

Oct 21, 2006 — LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - One of seven U.S. Marines charged with murder in the death of an Iraqi grandfather will plead guilty next week to charges of assault and obstruction of justice, his lawyer said on Saturday.

The move by Pfc. John Jodka follows a plea deal in the case earlier this month by Navy medic Melson Bacos under which he agreed to testify against the accused Marines.

Bacos was given a one-year maximum sentence.

Jodka's expected pleas "are in his best interest and certainly in the best interest of his family and of the Marine Corps," Jodka's attorney Joseph Casas said in a statement.

The accused have been charged with murder, kidnapping, giving false statements and conspiracy in the April killing of Ibrahim Awad, 52, in the Iraqi town of Hamdania.
(snip/...)

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=2594976

[ThomCat]

1. One year is not nearly long enough.

What the hell are they thinking?
x(

[ashling]

2. Bush should serve their time

he created these killers - him and Rummy. Sending troops back in with mental disorders and all the rest.
:puke:

[atreides1]

3. No he shouldn't

Yes we all know this was his great idea, but those troops made the choice. If Bush is guilty, then so are their parents, families, and friends, because they should have seen the potential murderers for what they were.

Yes Bush and his entire crew of empire builders should be tried for war crimes, but it does not mean a free pass for those wearing the uniform of the United States, they know right from wrong, they decided on wrong.

Has anyone here who keeps up the mantra of "Support the Troops", ever stopped to think that that may be part of the root cause of these crimes being committed? If the troops think that they have total
unquestioned support of the American people, why wouldn't some of them take advantage of the self imposed blindness that causes.

Support the troops, by all means, but make sure they understand that support comes with the requirement that they have responsibilities that they have to meet. Mainly that the commission of crimes and violations of international conventions will not be accepted, and that we who support them will call for them to be held responsible for their actions.

For if we support them, no matter what they do, then we are just as responsible for the crimes that they commit.

[saigon68]

5. Well put !! I have been preaching this for 3 1/2 years now

Where the hell were the NCOs and the Junior grade officers in all of this.

Apparently like Lt. Calley they decided to drop their trousers and "GET IN ON THE RAPING"

A Pox on all of these WAR CRIMINALS.

[ninkasi]

4. It's too much to ask for, I guess...

"Jodka's expected pleas "are in his best interest and certainly in the best interest of his family and of the Marine Corps," Jodka's attorney Joseph Casas said in a statement."

It's too much to ask for that the victim, and his family have a verdict that is their best interests. No, if possible, just give a light tap of the hand, and justice is said to be served. And we're bringing freedom and democracy to Iraq? Remember, though, they hate us for our freedoms.