Jury selected for Steven Green trial (RIP Abeer). Trial starts 27th

[uppityperson]

http://www.newswest9.com/Global/story.asp?S=10205368&nav=menu505_2

The jury has been seated for the murder and rape trial of former Midland soldier Steven Green. Jury selection wrapped up this morning in Paducah, Kentucky with 15 women and three men selected.

The former soldier is accused of raping an Iraqi girl, then killing her and her family more than three years ago. Three other soldiers have pleaded guilty and a fourth was convicted for their parts in the crimes.

Green has pleaded not guilty and could face the death penalty if convicted.

Opening arguments are set to begin April 27th.

[uppityperson]

1. More on who the jury is, etc...

http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009904180391

A jury has been seated in the case of a former Army soldier charged with raping a 14-year-old Iraqi girl and killing her and her family. Former Pfc. Steven Dale Green, 23, is the first ex-soldier to be charged as a civilian under a 2000 law that allows U.S. authorities to prosecute former members of the military for crimes overseas.

Opening statements are set to begin April 27 in federal court in Paducah, following a break. Attorneys yesterday selected the jury -- 15 women and three men -- from a pool of 80 prospective candidates.

Green, of Midland, Texas, faces 17 counts, including murder and rape. He is being tried in Paducah because it is the closest federal court in the Western District to Fort Campbell, Ky., where he was last stationed.

Diagnosed with an antisocial-personality disorder, Green was discharged from the 101st Airborne Division two months after the attack in Iraq, which occurred March 12, 2006. Green, who is accused by prosecutors of being a central figure in the rape of Abeer Kassem al-Janabi and the killing of her, her parents and sister, has pleaded not guilty.

Prosecutors say that they will ask for a death sentence if Green is convicted....
(more@ link, including potential witnesses, other soldiers already courtmartialed, family of Abeer)