Sgt. faces Article 32 in 2007 deaths of Iraqis

[unhappycamper]

Sgt. faces Article 32 in 2007 deaths of Iraqis
By George Frey - The Associated Press
Posted : Wednesday Dec 3, 2008 16:48:38 EST

VILSECK, Germany — A military court heard conflicting testimony Wednesday about whether a U.S. Army sergeant helped kill four Iraqis who were bound, blindfolded, shot and dumped in a Baghdad canal last year.

One witness said he saw Sgt. Joseph P. Mayo and two other soldiers — Sgt. Michael P. Leahy Jr. and Sgt. John E. Hatley — standing behind the four Iraqis facing the canal and saw them fire their weapons. But other witnesses said they saw no one shot or didn’t know if Mayo was even present.

The Article 32 hearing, the military equivalent of a civilian grand jury to assess the charges against Mayo and decide whether to refer him for a court-martial, was adjourned and will resume again Thursday. A decision is not expected this week.

The first soldier called to testify Wednesday, Sgt. Daniel Evoy, told the court he saw the three men with the four Iraqis — on their knees and facing the canal — and that he saw Leahy fire the first shot, then a detainee “slump to the ground.”

Evoy said he told his driver “I can’t believe they shot them.”


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/12/ap_iraqdeaths_article32_120308/%2e