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The
War Profiteers - War Crimes, Kidnappings, Torture and Big Money |
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The Baghdad Prisoner Killings -
April/May 2007 |
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Newest media report: Four Iraqis Were Allegedly
Killed to Prevent Release (6/12/2008/Stars and Stripes) Newest military report: No. 24110801 (25/11/2008/7th Army JMTC Public Affairs
Office) |
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“[…] Staff Sgt. Jess Cunningham, Sgt. Charles
Quigley, Spc. Stephen Ribordy, and Spc. Belmor Ramos were charged Monday with
conspiracy to commit premeditated murder under the Uniform Code of Military
Justice, according to a news release issued Tuesday by 7th Army Joint
Multinational Training Command. The charges against the men stem from an
incident that occurred in Baghdad in ‘April/May 2007’ while the soldiers were
serving in the 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment, part of the 1st
Infantry Division’s 2nd Brigade Combat Team, according to the Tuesday press
release. The 2nd BCT reflagged in March as the 172nd Infantry. […] “Documents providing additional details of the
charges against four Germany-based soldiers implicated in the deaths of
‘several’ detainees in Iraq in 2007 were not released as expected Wednesday,
as military legal experts considered what information could be released to
the public. […]” Excerpt of a “Stars and Stripes” article from July 24th,
2008. |
Accused soldier: Jess Cunningham |
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December 6th, 2008 - Four Iraqis Were Allegedly
Killed to Prevent Release 1 news
article from Stars and Stripes December 5th, 2008 - Testimony Doesn’t Link US
Soldier to 4 Dead Iraqis 2 news
articles from the Associated Press & Stars and Stripes December 4th, 2008 - Detainee Killings Were for
Revenge, Witnesses Testify 1 news
article by Stars and Stripes December 3rd, 2008 - US Soldier Faces Hearing in
2007 Deaths of Iraqis 1 news
article by the Associated Press November 30th, 2008 - Hearing Set for Soldier in
Detainee Deaths Case 1 news
article by Stars and Stripes November 26th, 2008 - Soldier Will be Tried in
Deaths of Iraqis 1 news
article by Stars and Stripes November 20th, 2008 - 2 U.S. Troops Charged in
Murder of Iraqis 1 news
article by CBS News November 13th, 2008 - US Soldier to be
Court-Martialed in Iraq Deaths 1 news
article by the Associated Press November 12th, 2008 - US Soldier to Face Court
Martial over Iraqi Deaths 1 news
article by the Associated Press November 7th, 2008 - 2 Accused in Iraqi Deaths
Face More Charges 1 news
article by Stars and Stripes October 2nd, 2008 - US Soldier Pleads Guilty in
Iraq Killings 2 news
articles by the Associated Press & Agence France Presse September 20th, 2008 - Jailed Soldier’s Mom Says He
was Caught in ‘Bad Situation’ 1 news
article by Deseret News September 18th, 2008 - US Soldier Gets 7-Month Sentence
in Iraq Killings 2 news
articles by the Associated Press & Agence France Presse September 17th, 2008 - 3 US Soldiers Charged with
Murder in Iraqi Deaths 1 news
article by the Associated Press September 12th, 2008 - 2 US Soldiers to Face
Court-Martial in Iraq Deaths 1 news
article by the Associated Press September 1st, 2008 - GIs go from Informants to
Defendants 1 news
article by Stars and Stripes August 28th, 2008 - US Army Hearing on Death of
4 Iraqis Ends 1 news article by
the Associated Press August 27th, 2008 - US Army Continues Iraq Murder
Conspiracy Hearing 1 news article by
the Associated Press August 26th, 2008 - U.S. Soldiers Executed Iraqis,
Statements Say 1 news article by
the New York Times July 31st, 2008 - US Troops Charged in Iraq
Deaths to Face Tribunal 1 news article by
the Associated Press July 30th, 2008 - Army Says U.S. Soldiers Shot
Detainees at Iraq Canal 1 news article by
Stars and Stripes July 25th, 2008 - Accused Soldier’s Friends Say
the Charges Are Hard to Believe 1 news article by
the Bakersfield Californian July 24th, 2008 - Army not Releasing Details
in Detainee Deaths Case 1 news article by
Stars and Stripes July 23rd, 2008 - Four US Soldiers Charged
with Conspiracy to Murder Iraqis 1 news article by
Agence France Presse July 22nd, 2008 - 4 US Soldiers Charged in
Detainee Deaths in Iraq 1 news article by
the Associated Press |
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Charges & Sentences by the U.S.
Military Tribunal in Vilseck, Germany |
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Defendants |
Original
Main Charges |
Sentences |
Sentencing
Dates |
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Jess
Cunningham |
conspiracy to
commit premeditated murder |
- |
- |
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John
Hatley |
premed. murder,
conspiracy, obstruction of justice |
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- |
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Michael
Leahy |
premed. murder,
conspiracy, obstruction of justice |
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- |
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Joseph
Mayo |
premed. murder,
conspiracy, obstruction of justice |
- |
- |
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Charles Quigley |
conspiracy to
commit premeditated murder |
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Belmor Ramos |
conspiracy to
commit premeditated murder |
7
months confinement |
September
18th, 2008 |
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Steven Ribordy |
conspiracy to
commit premeditated murder |
8
months confinement |
October
2nd, 2008 |
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November 25th, 2008 - No. 24110801 Press Release by
the 7th Army JMTC Public Affairs Office Grafenwöhr, Germany “[…] On Nov. 21, 2008, Brig. Gen. David R. Hogg, the Commanding
General of the 7th Army Joint Multinational Training Command, referred
charges to general courts-martial against Sgt. Michael P. Leahy, Jr., 26, a
soldier formerly assigned to 1st Batt., 18th Inf. Regt. in Grafenwoehr,
Germany. “A date for the court-martial has not been scheduled at this time. “The following charges were preferred on Sept. 16, 2008 at Grafenwoehr,
Germany. The accused was charged with one specification of a violation of the
Uniformed Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), Article 118, premeditated murder;
one specification of Article 81, conspiracy to commit premeditated murder;
and one specification of Article 134, obstruction of justice. These charges
relate to an incident that occurred during March/April 2007 at or near
Baghdad, Iraq. “Leahy is also charged with crimes stemming from a separate incident
that occurred in early Jan. 2007 at or near Baghdad, Iraq. Based on this
incident, he is charged with a specification of premeditated murder,
conspiracy to commit premeditated murder, and one specification of a
violation of Article 78, accessory after the fact […]” November 20th, 2008 - No. 20110801 Press Release by
the 7th Army JMTC Public Affairs Office Grafenwöhr, Germany “[…] On Nov. 17, 2008, the Commanding General of the 7th U.S. Army
Joint Multinational Training Command referred charges to general
courts-martial against Staff Sgt. Jess Cunningham, 27, and Sgt. Charles
Quigley, 28, both formerly of the 1st Batt., 18th Inf. Regt. “The Soldiers are charged with conspiracy to commit premeditated
murder. The charges relate to an incident that occurred during April/May 2007
in Baghdad, Iraq. “A date for the court-martials has not been scheduled at this time.
[…]” October 2nd, 2008 - Specialist Steven Ribordy
Sentenced Press Release by
the 7th Army JMTC Public Affairs Office Grafenwöhr, Germany “[…] Spc. Steven Ribordy, 25, will serve eight months confinement for
his role in an incident that occurred during March/April 2007 in Baghdad,
Iraq. “Accusations against Ribordy were dismissed related to the charge of
conspiracy to commit premeditated murder. However, Ribordy pleaded guilty as
an accessory after the fact. “As part of his guilty plea, Ribordy has agreed to testify in the
trials of the other Soldiers involved, if needed. Legal actions are still
pending against five other Soldiers from the 1st Batt., 18th Inf. Regt., for
crimes associated with the incident. “The sentencing took place after about an hour of deliberation by the military
judge at the courthouse in Rose Barracks in Vilseck, Germany. Ribordy’s
sentence also included a reduction to the rank of private (E1), forfeiture of
all pay and allowances and a bad conduct discharge from the U.S. Army. […]” September 18th, 2008 - 1-18 Soldier Pleads
Guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Pre-Meditated Murder Press Release by
the 7th Army JMTC Public Affairs Office Grafenwöhr, Germany “[…] Spc. Belmor Ramos, 23, will be dishonorably discharged and serve
seven months confinement for his role in an incident that occurred during
March/April 2007 in Baghdad, Iraq. “Ramos, a soldier assigned to the 1st Batt., 18th Inf. Regt. pleaded
guilty to charges of conspiracy to commit premeditated murder, today. As part
of his guilty plea, Ramos agreed to testify in the trials of the other
Soldiers charged, if needed. “Criminal charges have been preferred against Master Sgt. John E.
Hatley, 40; Sgt. 1st Class Joseph P. Mayo, 27; Sgt. Michael P. Leahy, Jr.,
26; Staff Sgt. Jess Cunningham, 27; Sgt. Charles Quigley, 28, and Spc. Steven
Ribordy, 25. “The sentencing took place after about 45 minutes, concluding the
court-martial proceedings against him at the courthouse in Rose Barracks in
Vilseck, Germany. Ramos’s sentence also included a reduction to the rank of
private (E1), forfeiture of all pay and allowances and a dishonorable
discharge from the U.S. Army. […]” September 17th, 2008 - Three Additional 1-18
Soldiers Charged in the Murder of Iraqi Civilians Press Release by
the 7th Army JMTC Public Affairs Office Grafenwöhr, Germany “[…] On Sept. 16, 2008, criminal charges were preferred against Master
Sgt. John E. Hatley, 40; Sgt. 1st Class Joseph P. Mayo, 27; and Sgt. Michael
P. Leahy, Jr., 26; all formerly assigned to 1st Batt., 18th Inf. Regt. “All three Soldiers are charged with one specification of a violation
of the Uniformed Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), Article 118, premeditated
murder; one specification of a violation of the UCMJ, Article 81, conspiracy
to commit premeditated murder; and one specification of a violation of the
UCMJ, Article 134, obstruction of justice. These charges relate to an
incident that occurred during March/April 2007 at or near Baghdad, Iraq. “Hatley and Leahy were also charged with crimes stemming from a
separate incident that occurred in early Jan. 2007 at or near Baghdad, Iraq.
Based on this incident, both are charged with one additional specification of
a violation of the UCMJ, Article 118, premeditated murder, and one additional
specification of a violation of Article 81, conspiracy to commit premeditated
murder. Leahy was also charged with one specification of a violation of
Article 78, accessory after the fact. […]” September 12th, 2008 - Two 1-18 Soldiers
Referred to Courts-Martial Press Release by
the 7th Army JMTC Public Affairs Office Grafenwöhr, Germany “[…] On Sept. 8, 2008, the Commanding General of the 7th US Army Joint
Multinational Training Command, referred charges to general courts-martial
against Spc. Belmor Ramos, 23, and Spc. Steven Ribordy, 25, of 1st Batt.,
18th Inf. Regt. Both Soldiers are charged with conspiracy to commit
premeditated murder. Spc. Ribordy is also charged with accessory after the
fact. The charges relate to an incident that occurred during March/April 2007
in Baghdad, Iraq. These Soldiers have waived their right to have their cases
heard at an Article 32 hearing, which is similar to a civilian grand jury
investigation. “On Aug. 28, in Vilseck, Germany, the Army concluded an Article 32
investigation for two other Soldiers, Sgt. Jess Cunningham, 27, and Sgt.
Charles Quigley, 28, also charged with conspiracy to commit premeditated
murder. Those cases have not been referred to trial and are pending the
recommendation of the presiding investigating officer. […]” July 29th, 2008 - News Release No. 29070801 Press Release by
the 7th Army JMTC Public Affairs Office Grafenwöhr, Germany “[…] The pre-trial investigation under Article 32 of the Uniform Code
of Military Justice into criminal charges against Staff Sergeant Jess Cunningham,
Sergeant, Charles Quigley, Specialist Stephen Ribordy, and Specialist Belmor
Ramos is scheduled to take place on Aug. 26.
Any subsequent sessions of the Article 32 investigation will be
announced at a later date. “This Article 32 will take place at the courthouse located at Rose
Barracks, Vilseck, Germany, in Bldg. 343. Please contact the JMTC Public
Affairs Office (PAO) by Monday afternoon, Aug. 22, for the time of the
session. “The Soldiers were charged with conspiracy to commit premeditated
murder. The charges relate to an incident that occurred during April/May 2007
in Baghdad, Iraq, while the Soldiers were serving in the 1st Battalion, 18th
Infantry. “The charges are allegations, and the accused is presumed innocent
unless proven guilty. The Article 32 hearing is an investigation to determine
the appropriate disposition of the charges brought against SSG Cunningham,
SGT Quigley, SPC Ribordy and SPC Ramos. […]” July 22nd, 2008 - News Release No. 22070801 Press Release by
the 7th Army JMTC Public Affairs Office Grafenwöhr, Germany “[…] Criminal charges were preferred against Staff Sgt. Jess
Cunningham, Sgt. Charles Quigley, Spc. Stephen Ribordy, and Spc. Belmor Ramos
of the D Co., 1st Batt., 2nd Inf. Regt., 172nd Inf. Brig. under the Uniform
Code of Military Justice, in Grafenwoehr, Germany, yesterday. “The Soldiers were charged with conspiracy to commit premeditated
murder. “The charges relate to an incident that occurred during April/May 2007
in Baghdad, Iraq, while the Soldiers were serving in the 1st Battalion, 18th
Infantry. “The preferral of charges represents an accusation only; the accused
are presumed innocent unless proven guilty. […]” July 21st, 2008 - U.S. vs. Cunningham,
Quigley, Ramos, Ribordy Charge Sheet by
the U.S. Department of the Army “[…] The Charge: Violation Of The UCMJ, Article 81 “The Specification: In that Staff Sergeant Jess C. Cunningham, U.S.
Army, did, at or near Baghdad, Iraq, between on or about 10 March 2007 and 16
April 2007, conspire with members of his unit to commit an offense under the
Uniform Code of Military Justice, to wit: Premeditated Murder of male
detainees of apparent Middle-Eastern descent whose names are unknown, and in
order to effect the object of the conspiracy the said SSG Jess C. Cunningham
and members of his unit took the male detainees to a canal and members of his
unit did shoot the male detainees with firearms. […]” January 25th, 2008 - Army Investigating
Battlefield-Detainee Deaths Press Release by
the U.S. Department of the Army “[…] Army officials in Europe are cooperating fully
with a U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command investigation into alleged
misconduct by members of a Europe-based 1st Infantry Division unit involving
detainees during a recent deployment to Iraq. “The allegations involve the deaths of several
detainees who were captured as part of combat operations last year, 2007, by
members of 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division while assigned to
Multi-National Corps Iraq. Preliminary findings indicate the deceased
detainees were not persons detained in a detention facility. […]” |
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Background 1)
Staff Sgt. Jess Cunningham - undated - published by “The Bakersfield
Californian” on July 25th, 2008; |
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Back to the Second
Gulf War/Iraq Invasion II Back to U.S.
Department of Defense |
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