US soldier sentenced in Afghan case

[cory777]

Source: Al Jazeera

A US army medic has been sentenced to nine months in prison after pleading guilty to shooting at unarmed Afghan farmers and agreeing to testify against other soldiers accused of terrorising civilians.

"It's the right thing to do and I'm going to do it," said Robert Stevens on Wednesday at Joint Base Lewis-McChord near Tacoma, Washington, when asked by the presiding officer why he pleaded guilty to charges.

He will serve his nine months at a detention facility - without pay - and will be demoted to E-1 private, the lowest rank in the army. Stevens will be allowed to stay in the military.

Stevens, 25, admitted opening fire on two Afghan men for no apparent reason, saying he and other soldiers were acting on orders from a squad leader during a patrol in March in Kandahar.

Read more: http://english.aljazeera.net/news/americas/2010/12/201012253539228197.html

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Activist News http://activistnews.blogspot.com/

[RSillsbee]

1. Did I read this right?

Stevens will be allowed to stay in the military.

They're going to put him in the stockade at Ft. Lewis for 9 months then put a rifle back in his hand and let him do it all over again?

WTF happened to my Army?

[saigon68]

2. Its Betrayus Army

Just a "few" malcontents

Move along nothing to see here

[RSillsbee]

3. No by God

It's my Army. I paid my share in blood and it's your Army too

[saigon68]

4. Sorry I forgot the sarcasm Tag

You are right---- we should all be ashamed at what is happening to "Our Army"

[Heywood J]

5. For those in the know,

what sort of duties is he likely to face as an E-1 not in boot camp? Hopefully something that's enough to make him leave or wish he had?