Ex-guards sentenced for Iraq shootings plan appeal

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

By SAM HANANEL

WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense lawyers are vowing to appeal the convictions of four former Blackwater security guards after a federal judge handed down lengthy prison terms for their roles in a 2007 shooting of unarmed civilians in Iraq.

Attorneys identified several issues Monday as likely forming the basis of an appeal, including vindictive prosecution and whether State Department contractors could be charged under a federal law that covers the overseas crimes of Defense Department civilian employees.

The move comes after U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth sentenced former guard Nicholas Slatten to life in prison and three others to 30-year terms for their roles in the shootings that killed 14 Iraqi civilians and wounded 17 others.

Slatten, who witnesses said was the first to fire shots in the melee, was sentenced to life after being convicted last October of first-degree murder. The three other guards — Paul Slough, Evan Liberty and Dustin Heard — were each sentenced to 30 years and one day in prison for charges that included manslaughter, attempted manslaughter and using firearms while committing a felony.

FULL story at link.



This combination made from file photo shows Blackwater guards, from left, Dustin Heard, Evan Liberty, Nicholas Slatten and Paul Slough. A years-long legal fight over a deadly mass shooting of civilians in an Iraq war zone reaches its reckoning point, when the former Blackwater security guards are sentenced for the rampage. Three of the guards, Heard, Liberty and Slough, face mandatory decades-long sentences because of firearms convictions. Slatten faces a penalty of life in prison after being found guilty of first-degree murder. (AP Photo)

Read more: http://bigstory.ap.org/article/21e2cd3f6f9e4d19b69e66addc2db431/ex-guards-sentenced-iraq-shootings-plan-appeal

[rpannier]

1. Oh, wah!

The four of them should be behind bars for lengthy prison terms
Though, if they feel truly unfairly treated. They could plead their case in Iraq
See what that gets them

[Sparhawk60]

2. Yup, Let Iraqi Courts Handle Them

I can see, in the heart of the battle, slipping up and killing a civilian. It is truly a life and death situation and a split second mistake results in an innocent life being taken. But 14 dead and 17 wounded?

You don't shoot 30 people in a slit second "I saw some thing in the shadows and instinctively fired". Shooting 30 people is a deliberate decision. Also known as first degree murder.

[Buenaventura]

3. Prosecute Erik Prince, too!

[FiveGoodMen]

4. That's what I keep thinking!