Local soldier not among three charged in Iraqi deaths

[The Straight Story]

Local soldier not among three charged in Iraqi deaths
By MATT MOORE, Associated Press Writer | Wednesday, Sep 17 2008 11:40 AM

Last Updated: Wednesday, Sep 17 2008 11:50 AM

FRANKFURT, Germany — Three American soldiers were charged with murder Wednesday in the deaths of four Iraqis who were bound, blindfolded, shot in the head and dumped in a Baghdad canal last year.

Local soldier, Staff Sgt. Jess Cunningham, has not yet been court-martialed in the case. According to testimony from an August hearing, the Arvin High graduate and Bakersfield College athlete did not pull the trigger but may have been involved in a cover-up.

Four other U.S. soldiers have already been charged with conspiracy in the deaths, which apparently came shortly after the Iraqis were captured in April 2007. The Iraqis were killed in retribution for casualties within the 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment, according to military prosecutors.

The Army said in a statement released Wednesday that Sgt. John E. Hatley, 40; Sgt. 1st Class Joseph P. Mayo, 27; and Sgt. Michael P. Leahy Jr., 26 — all formerly assigned to 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment — faced charges of premeditated murder, conspiracy to commit premeditated murder and obstruction of justice. Their hometowns were not disclosed.

http://www.bakersfield.com/hourly_news/story/555024.html