Judge approves soldier's guilty plea to gang rape, murder - Abeer Qassim al-Janabi

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

I have no words to describe the horror I feel at the thought of this act of incredible brutality.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2007-02-21-iraq-rape-murders_x.htm?csp=34

FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. (AP) — 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.

He said Wednesday he raped 14-year-old Abeer Qassim al-Janabi in her family's home in Mahmoudiya last March, and that Spc. James Barker, 24, held her down. "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."

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.

Later Wednesday, Cortez was found not guilty of more serious charges of premeditated murder and conspiracy to premeditated murder after prosecutors failed to convince a judge that Cortez knew of what they said was Green's intent to murder the whole family.

[CBGLuthier]

1. He seemed very remorseful

Got to love that last line.

Amazing how people mistake remorse for regret over getting caught. Instead of prison they should hand this asshole over to any surviving family members of the dead and raped.

Assuming there are any surviving family members.

[peace13]

2. I fear that his cell mates won't care about the remorse.

He will get what he gave I am guessing.

[uppityperson]

3. k&r for Abeer, Hadeel, Fakhriya and Qassim

Mass murder. Gang rape. Burning of body. Life without parole.

[uppityperson]

4. only 1 recommendation so far?

[nam78_two]

5. Another story that fell into the cracks :-/

K&R.....

[Error]

6. Dont forget their buddies

that got their dicks cut off - those guys that were ambushed...

that was the locals retaliating for this murder / rape

[me b zola]

7. That's right

I wonder if the family members of those dead soldiers know what lead to the horrible death of their loved ones. They deserve to know this.

In any case, I believe it was that incident that lead to justice for Abeer and her family. This is when soldiers in that company began speaking to counselors which lead to the investigation.

[Canuckistanian]

8. They got the wrong guys

But they should still get a chance at justice.

Convict the murderers and impeach those that sent them.

[uppityperson]

9. Sentenced:100 yrs, 10 yrs will be eligible for parole.

Damn it all. No death sentence is good, but 10 years????
http://www.contracostatimes.com/mld/cctimes/news/nation/16762116.htm

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....

Abeer at 2.

[Recursion]

10. Freepers are calling for the gallows for him

I don't like linking to that trough, but it surprised me that there's not much of the "innocent no matter what" contingent left there.