Quilt show delays soldier’s murder trial

[unhappycamper]

Quilt show delays soldier’s murder trial
The Associated Press
Posted : Thursday Apr 3, 2008 6:25:02 EDT

PADUCAH, Ky. — The trial of a former soldier charged with raping a 14-year-old Iraqi girl and murdering her and her family has been delayed by two weeks to accommodate a quilt show.

Former Pvt. Steven D. Green, 22, who was deployed in Iraq with the 1001st Airborne Division, faces a possible death sentence if convicted on 16 charges that include premeditated murder and aggravated sexual assault in connection with the assault in March 2006 in Mahmoudiya, a village 20 miles south of Baghdad. He pleaded not guilty in November 2006.

Authorities maintain that four U.S. soldiers raped 14-year-old Abeer al-Janabi and then killed her and her family to cover up the crime. A fifth was accused of failing to report the assault.

Green is being prosecuted in federal court because he was discharged from the military before being charged.

U.S. District Judge Thomas Russell ordered Green’s trial delayed from April 13, 2009 to April 27 because the National American Quilt show is in Paducah during the original trial date. Attendance at the show would make it difficult to secure enough hotel rooms for trial participants, Russell said in a ruling issued Tuesday. Jury selection in the case will begin April 6, Russell ruled.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/04/ap_greentrial_delay_040208/