Rape case against ex-soldier delayed until Nov 8, how convenient

[madokie]

By AP Wire Service
7/21/2006

View in Print (PDF) Format


LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) -- A federal judge granted a three-month delay Thursday in the arraignment of a former soldier who is charged with raping an Iraqi girl and killing her and three family members.

U.S. District Judge Thomas B. Russell agreed to delay the arraignment until Nov. 8 after prosecutors cited logistical concerns in the case against Steven Green.

"It is unreasonable to expect that witnesses and evidence from Iraq will be available almost simultaneously to military prosecutors in Iraq and Department of Justice prosecutors in the Western District of Kentucky," said the motion filed Wednesday.

The prosecution involves coordinated efforts of military prosecutors in Iraq, federal prosecutors in the U.S. and FBI and Army investigators.

[bluerum]

1. Yes, convenient. Logistical concerns. Hmmm.

U.S. District Judge Thomas B. Russell agreed to delay the arraignment until Nov. 8 after prosecutors cited logistical concerns in the case against Steven Green.

"It is unreasonable to expect that witnesses and evidence from Iraq will be available almost simultaneously to military prosecutors in Iraq and Department of Justice prosecutors in the Western District of Kentucky," said the motion filed Wednesday.

Oh I don't know - they may want to try something called the internet and email. Or maybe even the telephone.

[atreides1]

2. How convenient

Four days after the mid-term elections.

[tanyev]

3. When I saw the article yesterday about asking for a delay I was so

tempted to post a snarky comment about how it would probably be moved until after the November elections. I thought that was too cynical for such a serious incident, so I decided not to post anything. Now I see my first instincts were absolutely right.

[madokie]

5. with this crew a person needs to always expect the worst and the

unbelievable to even have a chance to be right. typing while shaking head

[zbdent]

4. Bet he'll still be able to vote

[Breeze54]

6. I'd rather they have all the info before they start.

Friday, 07/21/06

Delay granted in ex-101st soldier's rape-murder case
Arraignment Nov. 8 on charges from Iraq

By BRUCE SCHREINER
Associated Press

LOUISVILLE, Ky. —

Federal prosecutors citing logistical concerns won a delay Thursday in their case against
a former 101st Airborne Division soldier charged with raping an Iraqi girl and killing her
and three family members.

U.S. District Judge Thomas Russell gave prosecutors more time for an indictment against Steven Green.
The judge also moved back the ex-soldier's arraignment to Nov. 8, a three-month delay.

Prosecutors requested the delay in a motion Wednesday, noting that an indictment isn't likely until October.
Green's lawyers did not oppose the delay.

"The court finds that the ends of justice served by granting the requested continuance
outweigh the best interest of the public and the defendant in a speedy trial,"
U.S. District Judge Thomas Russell said in his order.

More at Link: http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060721/NEWS01/607210396/1006

Snip-->

Military officials have said the rape and slaying allegations came to light only recently,
after the kidnapping and deaths of other soldiers from Green's unit in the 101st.

Prosecutors said the case against Green, who was a private in the 101st, involves
coordinated efforts of military prosecutors in Iraq, federal prosecutors in the U.S.
and FBI and Army investigators.
The same evidence and witnesses are "necessary components" in those prosecutions
and in the case against Green, the motion said.

The motion also cited complicated logistics in the case, noting that it "involves a crime
scene located thousands of miles from the Western District of Kentucky,
as well as witnesses and other items of evidence located far from here."

The prosecution's motion said an indictment in Green's case was not likely
until Oct. 18 at the earliest. <--snip

-----------------------------------------

Cases get delayed all the time and he hasn't even been indicted yet, according to the article.
If they need more time, then they need more time.