2nd U.S. soldier avoids death with guilty plea in Iraq case

[TacticalPeek]

Feb. 22, 2007, 11:05AM

2nd U.S. soldier avoids death with guilty plea in Iraq case

By KRISTIN M. HALL
Associated Press

FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. — A U.S. soldier broke down in tears in court as he described his role in the gang rape and slaying of a 14-year-old Iraqi girl and the killing of her family last year.

Paul E. Cortez, 24, wept Wednesday as he became the second U.S. soldier to plead guilty to charges in a case considered among the worst atrocities by U.S. military personnel in Iraq.

By pleading guilty to rape and four counts of felony murder, Cortez was spared the possibility of a death sentence and must testify against the three other soldiers charged in the case.

Under the agreement, Cortez will be sentenced to up to life in prison, plus reduction in rank and a dishonorable discharge. Whether he is eligible for parole will be decided at sentencing Thursday.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/headline/nation/4572928.html


These courtroom tears will get much less coverage than that loopy Anna Nicole judge.

[The_Casual_Observer]

1. "Let Freedom Reign!" "Support the troops!"

[sanskritwarrior]

17. Excuse me??

WTF does this mean. This man disgraced my Army and he got life.......Military Justice was delivered. What's your problem with the rest of us?

[rodeodance]

2. doubt it will even be on the news (network-maybe cable)

[Selatius]

3. They don't cover this, but they cover Anna Nicole Smith.

The corporate oligarchy's grip on the news media is strong.

[lebkuchen]

4. Sounds like somebody will get the death penalty

once this is over.

[gratuitous]

5. I wonder why he wasn't tried in Iraq?

After all, his crime was perpetrated against an Iraqi civilian, and Iraq's courts have already proven themselves equal to the challenge of deciding the guilt or innocence of their former maximum leader. Surely our good pals in Baghdad could adjudicate the merits of the case against Mr. Cortez.

[951-Riverside]

6. but but but his mommy, wife or sister says he didnt do it

...and thats all that matters :eyes:

[uppityperson]

7. More on the crimes... k&r for Abeer, Hadeel, Fakhriya and Qassim

""I lifted up her skirt and took off her stockings while Barker held her hands with his knees," he said before admitting that he raped the teenager as she screamed. "After I was done, myself and Barker switched spots."

Cortez offered no explanation for his involvement in the rape and murders, only saying that his intent was to rape the girl. The killing of the family was originally reported to be the work of insurgents.

Another soldier, former Pfc. Steven D. Green, shot the girl's father, mother and younger sister in the bedroom, Cortez said. Green raped the girl in front of Cortez and then shot her multiple times in the head, he said.

Cortez also testified that the soldiers attempted to burn the girl's body, burned their clothes and threw the murder weapon, an AK-47, into a canal in an attempt to get rid of evidence."

I do not believe in the death penalty, but life in prison without parole would suit me fine for all those involved with this mass murder, rape, descration.

[Hieronymus]

8. Hopefully, he'll think about that girl and her family

while he's gang-raped daily for the rest of his life.

[Bonobo]

9. THAT'S the headline? How about this alternative headline...

"Pedopile Rapist US Solider Cops Plea"

or

"Another Iraqi Rape-Murder Victim Denied Justice"

or

"Raped Slaughtered Iraqi Girl Screwed Again"

[Purveyor]

10. Soldier sentenced to 100 years, eligible for parole in 10 in murder of Iraqi girl

Associated Press

FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. - A U.S. soldier was sentenced to 100 years in prison Thursday for the gang rape and murder of an Iraqi girl and the killing of her family last year.

Sgt. Paul E. Cortez, 24, of Barstow, Calif., was also given a dishonorable discharge. He will be eligible for parole in 10 years under the terms of the plea agreement.

The military judge hearing the case, Col. Stephen R. Henley, issued a sentence of life in prison without parole, the maximum for the charges. Under military law, the defendant is given the lesser sentence unless he violates terms of the plea agreement.

Earlier Thursday, tears rolled down Cortez's face as he apologized for the rape and murders. He said he could not explain why he took part.

"I still don't have an answer," Cortez told the judge. "I don't know why. I wish I hadn't. The lives of four innocent people were taken. I want to apologize for all of the pain and suffering I have caused the al-Janabi family."

---END OF EXCERPT---

http://www.contracostatimes.com/mld/cctimes/news/nation/16762116.htm

[Hieronymus]

11. That sick bastard will be some gang's "girlfriend" in prison ..

I hope.

[Aviation Pro]

13. Not at Levenworth....

...the Army brooks none of that B.S. at their facility.

[sanskritwarrior]

18. LOL

you'd be surprised........

[Monkeyman]

12. Yep he got what coming to him

[shance]

14. Perhaps. What about the Bush Administration which created this environment for such atrocities?

Have they?

[Monkeyman]

15. They will pay

[wellst0nev0ter]

16. And In Other News, Anna Nichole Is Still Dead (EOM)

[MaineDem]

28. I think this deserves its own thread

The 100 year sentence is the news here.

I think there should be no parole EVER for this case!

[tuvor]

19. U.S. soldier sentenced to 100 years for rape, murder

FT. CAMPBELL, Kentucky (Reuters) - A U.S. soldier who pleaded guilty to raping and murdering a 14-year-old Iraqi girl and killing her family was sentenced to 100 years in a military prison, the U.S. Army said on Thursday.

Sgt. Paul Cortez, 24, was also given a dishonorable discharge under a plea agreement he reached with prosecutors prior to a court-martial that spanned three days, an Army spokesman said.

Cortez, of Barstow, California, was not eligible for the death penalty under his plea agreement, accepted by the court on Wednesday.

Col. Stephen R. Henley, the military judge, found Cortez guilty of conspiracy to commit rape, four counts of felony murder, rape, housebreaking and violating a general order.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/usa_iraq_murder_dc

[rockymountaindem]

20. If he had been given the DP

would the military have used a firing squad?

[Recursion]

24. They can still hang if the crime is in-theater

Though I doubt you would see that -- that's kind of specifically for cowardice in the face of the enemy.

[proud2BlibKansan]

21. Good

[Rainscents]

22. When do Chimp gets put in jail for 100 years?

I wish!

[uppityperson]

23. Eligible for parole in 10 yrs.

Not good.

[gratuitous]

25. Still don't know why he wasn't tried by the Iraqis

After all, his crime was perpetrated on an Iraqi civilian family, and the fledgling Iraqi justice system has proved to be at least the equal of, say, the Texas state justice system. If the U.S. can presume to incarcerate foreign nationals without charge, surely the sovereign Iraqis should have a say in prosecuting wrongdoers in their own land.

[Thothmes]

29. Tried by Iraqis

I suspect we have a status of forces agreement with the Iraqi Government. It may allow the U.S. to try him as opposed to the host country. We have these type of agreements with many countries in the world

[MichaelHarris]

26. Get

Bill O on the judges ass, he hates those child rapists. Ummm errr never mind, this was an Iraqi child, he only does white children rapes.

[ShortnFiery]

27. Well, if War Crimes of this magnitude do not rate the Death Penalty ...

Then, IMO, it's hypocritical of those to support the use of The Death Penalty, to not want this antiquated and inhumane practice abolished.

Oh wait! We live in Dear Leader's Unitary Executive America. Never mind. :grr: