Marine gets 8 years in Iraqi killing

[Judi Lynn]

Feb. 18, 2007, 3:19AM
Marine gets 8 years in Iraqi killing


© 2007 The Associated Press

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. — A Marine who said he never fired a shot in the kidnapping and murder of an Iraqi man was sentenced Saturday to 8 years in military prison — the longest sentence yet in the case.

Lance Cpl. Robert B. Pennington, 22, also was reduced in rank and given a dishonorable discharge during the sentencing hearing at the Camp Pendleton Marine base.

Pennington was part of an eight-member squad accused of kidnapping and killing Hashim Ibrahim Awad, 52, last April in the Iraqi town of Hamdania. Investigators said the Marines dragged Awad from his home, shot him, and then planted an AK-47 and a shovel by his body to make it look like he was an insurgent planting a bomb.

Pennington, the squad's radio operator, testified at his court-martial that he did not shoot Awad but said he helped force the man into a roadside hole and held his hand over his mouth.
(snip/...)

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/nation/4562514.html

[rpannier]

1. He needs to serve the 8

The judge reduced the sentence. That's more than this guy deserves.

He didn't fire the gun! So the f**king hell what?
He..."... helped force the man into a roadside hole and held his hand over his mouth."
That makes you a murderer.

No support here for commuting his sentence.

[dysfunctional press]

2. same opinion here.

fuck that murdereing pos.

[Benhurst]

3. And if a teen did something similar in the holdup of a convenience

store in the United States which resulted in a death?

It is my understanding he would be tried for murder in most states and face the death penalty.

[Geezus]

4. Perhaps, but only if it was first degree murder.

If it was spur of the moment (ie not planned) it would be 2nd degree, which is roughly 10-15 years. With other charges such as armed robbery, illegal posession of a firearm, et al, he could get upwards of 25 years. Which is at least as much as the lance corporal deserves.

[pfitz59]

5. He's from my town.

My kids went to high school with him. F*** Bush! This kid should never have been there! Shrub should be the one going to prison! Kid should appeal under "Equal Justice" clause (re: Gitmo!)