Soldier enters pleas in rape-murder case

[Barrett808]

Source: Associated Press

Soldier enters pleas in rape-murder case
By RYAN LENZ, Associated Press Writer

FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. - A Fort Campbell soldier accused of acting as a lookout while his colleagues attacked and killed a 14-year-old Iraqi girl and her family pleaded guilty to some lesser offenses Monday as his court-martial began on rape and murder charges.

Pfc. Jesse Spielman pleaded to conspiracy to obstruct justice, arson, wrongfully touching a corpse and drinking.

He still faces trial on the more serious charges in the March 2006 attack on Abeer Qassim al-Janabi and her family. Under military law, a soldier present when a crime occurs can be found guilty if prosecutors can establish that the soldier had prior knowledge.

Three other soldiers have pleaded guilty for their roles in the crimes and received sentences as long as 100 years. Another soldier was discharged from the military before he was charged and could face the death penalty if found guilty in federal court in Kentucky.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070730/ap_on_re_us/army_rape_slaying

[dipsydoodle]

1. Just incase anyone has forgotten

Abeer Qassim al-Janabi was 14 years old at the time.

[UKProPeace]

2. Yep, unfortunately I hadn't forgot

I've been following this very tragic story since I first heard about it, that's why I don't just "support the troops no matter what". It would be classed as sick paedophilia if it were civilians carrying out such depraved acts, I hope those responsible get exactly what they deserve.

[Mandate My Ass]

3. It still shocks me to this day what happened to that family

I can't get it out of my mind either, and yes, totally depraved behavior such as this deserves harsh punishment.

Welcome to DU, UKProPeace. I hope you like it here.

[UKProPeace]

5. Thanks Mandate,

I have to admit I have been a lurker for some time now :)

Hopefully justice will prevail.

[Mandate My Ass]

6. Well good for you for taking the plunge and posting

Greetings from across the pond. :hi:

It's been almost ten years since I hoisted a pint in the UK. Have one for me if you imbibe, one proud lefty to another. :toast:

Justice would be nice for a change.

[UKProPeace]

8. Will do mandate

:toast:

[Barrett808]

9. Welcome to DU, UKProPeace!

:hi:

[UKProPeace]

10. Hi Barrett

Thanks and hi to you as well, from a long time lurker :)

[Judi Lynn]

4. Will never forget as long as I live, that cable news tv continued to misidentify this child

as a "woman," a "26 year old woman," and they continued to do this, as well as wire articles continued appearing also misinforming, LONG after the first stories started surfacing that the "guest of honor" at this blood/rape fest was a child.



Deliberate attempt to conceal an absolutely unholy triumph of a group's lowest possible instincts, unleashed upon a family least capable of defending itself against this personal vicious, underhanded, sadistic, brutality. Nothing can be uglier, less worthy than this.

http://www.smh.com.au/ffximage/2006/07/10/stevengreen_narrowweb__300x391,0.jpg

Stephen Dale Green

[UKProPeace]

7. Definitely sick

attempting to misinform people by claiming this wasn't a sadistic brutal act of paedophilia...It's good to see though at least on this forum that people want justice done. Good to be among some here at least who don't just blindly follow the leader, and pardon, or apologise for these thugs.

[Judi Lynn]

11. The chances of seeing fewer of those people here are pretty good, although they do show up,

imagining themselves the masters of stealth.

Welcome to D.U., by the way. :hi: :hi: :hi: Hope you'll see some positive changes in the world with the Democrats, progressives, liberals here.

[UKProPeace]

12. Hi Judy

it seems we've all been waiting so long for change doesn't it....fingers crossed that the combination of new leaders in Britain and the US can see many of the changes we most want to see.