Indictment Looms In Blackwater Shooting

[RamboLiberal]

Source: CBS News/AP

Federal prosecutors have drafted an indictment against six Blackwater Worldwide security guards in last year's deadly Baghdad shootings of 17 Iraqi civilians, The Associated Press has learned.

The draft is being reviewed by senior Justice Department officials but no charging decisions have been made. A decision is not expected until at least later this month, people close to the case said.

Also still undecided is whether the Justice Department would charge the guards with manslaughter or assault, according to the people, all of whom spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about the case.

It's also possible that prosecutors ultimately will seek charges against as few as three of the guards, whose identities are still secret. Depending on the charges, an indictment would carry maximum sentences of five to 20 years.

An indictment would send the message that the Justice Department believes U.S. contractors do not operate with legal impunity in war zones. It's an untested legal theory, since the law is murky on whether contractors could be charged in U.S. courts, or anywhere, for crimes committed overseas.


Read more: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/11/14/national/main4604344.shtml?tag=topHome;topStories

[pleah]

1. K&R Why are these people's names kept secret?

They are a private company, it doesn't make any sense that they are protected like this. IMO.
I also have never understood why they should have any kind of immunity, at all.

I hope that they are indicted and any immunity striped from them.

[barbtries]

2. manslaughter or assault?

the proper charge is murder. it was a fucking slaughter.