Kaymara
07-09-2006, 10:18 AM
5 more soldiers charged in Iraq rape-murder case
Former soldier already charged in U.S. court
Sunday, July 9, 2006; Posted: 10:07 a.m. EDT (14:07 GMT)
BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- Four U.S. soldiers in Iraq are charged with participation in the "rape and murder of a young Iraqi woman and three members of her family," the U.S. military said Sunday.
The soldiers are "accused of rape and murder," the military said in a news release.
A fifth soldier is accused of dereliction of duty for failing to report the offenses.
All five are charged with conspiring with former Pfc. Steven D. Green to commit the crimes, the military said.
Last week, Green pleaded not guilty in federal court in Kentucky.
The case involves an alleged incident in Mahmoudiya, Iraq, in March.
Prosecutors have said Green shot and killed an Iraqi man, woman and child before raping a young woman from the same family and killing her. (Watch tour of alleged crime scene in Mahmoudiya -- 2:04)
A Justice Department affidavit says Green and other soldiers planned to rape a young woman who lived near the checkpoint they manned in Mahmoudiya.
The affidavit says three soldiers allegedly accompanied Green into the house, and another soldier was told to monitor the radio while the assault took place.
The affidavit says Green shot the woman's relatives, including a girl of about 5; raped the young woman; then fatally shot her.
Soldiers are quoted in the affidavit as telling investigators that Green and his companions then set the family's house afire, threw an AK-47 rifle used in the killings into a canal and burned their bloodstained clothing.
The military, in its news release Sunday, wrote that the charges are "merely an accusation. Those accused are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt."
The statement said the soldiers still on active duty will face an Article 32 investigation, similar to a grand jury hearing in civilian law. The Article 32 proceeding will determine whether there is enough evidence to place them on trial.
Former soldier already charged in U.S. court
Sunday, July 9, 2006; Posted: 10:07 a.m. EDT (14:07 GMT)
BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- Four U.S. soldiers in Iraq are charged with participation in the "rape and murder of a young Iraqi woman and three members of her family," the U.S. military said Sunday.
The soldiers are "accused of rape and murder," the military said in a news release.
A fifth soldier is accused of dereliction of duty for failing to report the offenses.
All five are charged with conspiring with former Pfc. Steven D. Green to commit the crimes, the military said.
Last week, Green pleaded not guilty in federal court in Kentucky.
The case involves an alleged incident in Mahmoudiya, Iraq, in March.
Prosecutors have said Green shot and killed an Iraqi man, woman and child before raping a young woman from the same family and killing her. (Watch tour of alleged crime scene in Mahmoudiya -- 2:04)
A Justice Department affidavit says Green and other soldiers planned to rape a young woman who lived near the checkpoint they manned in Mahmoudiya.
The affidavit says three soldiers allegedly accompanied Green into the house, and another soldier was told to monitor the radio while the assault took place.
The affidavit says Green shot the woman's relatives, including a girl of about 5; raped the young woman; then fatally shot her.
Soldiers are quoted in the affidavit as telling investigators that Green and his companions then set the family's house afire, threw an AK-47 rifle used in the killings into a canal and burned their bloodstained clothing.
The military, in its news release Sunday, wrote that the charges are "merely an accusation. Those accused are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt."
The statement said the soldiers still on active duty will face an Article 32 investigation, similar to a grand jury hearing in civilian law. The Article 32 proceeding will determine whether there is enough evidence to place them on trial.