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The Baghdad Prisoner Killings

 

Military Reports Archive

 

 

April 16th, 2009 - Master Sergeant Sentenced to Life for Murder of Four Iraqi Detainees

Press Release by the 7th Army JMTC Public Affairs Office Grafenwöhr, Germany

 

“[…] Master Sgt. John E. Hatley, formerly assigned to the 1st Bn., 18th Inf. Regt., was dishonorably discharged and sentenced to confinement for life with the possibility of parole for his role in the premeditated murder of four detainees in March/April 2007, while deployed near Baghdad, Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The sentence also included a reduction to the rank of private (E1) and forfeiture of all pay and allowances.

 

“On Wednesday, despite his plea of not guilty, a panel of his peers found Hatley guilty of premeditated murder and conspiracy to commit premeditated murder. The panel found Hatley not guilty of obstruction of justice and an unrelated premeditated murder.

 

“The panel delivered their sentence after five hours of deliberation, which concluded the court-martial proceedings held at Rose Barracks in Vilseck, Germany.”

 

February 24th, 2009 - Charges Withdrawn and Dismissed Against Sgt. Quigley

Press Release by the 7th Army JMTC Public Affairs Office Grafenwöhr, Germany

 

“[…] Based on newly discovered evidence, the Convening Authority withdrew and dismissed the charge against Sgt. Charles Quigley, a soldier assigned to the 1st Bn., 18th Inf. Regt.

 

“Sgt. Quigley was charged with conspiracy to commit premeditated murder for an incident that occurred during April-May 2007, in Baghdad, Iraq. Quigley was awaiting trial at the time of the dismissal. Sgt. Quigley still faces non-judicial punishment for his failure to report the incident after it occurred.

 

 “Three Soldiers have already been convicted of crimes stemming from their involvement in the same incident. Sgt. 1st Class Joseph P. Mayo and Master Sgt. John E. Hatley still face trial. Mayo’s trial is scheduled for March 31-April 3. Hatley’s trial is scheduled for April 13-17. Both trials will be conducted at the Rose Barracks Courthouse at Vilseck, Germany. […]”

 

January 13th, 2009 - Immediate Release No. 13010901

Press Release by the 7th Army JMTC Public Affairs Office Grafenwöhr, Germany

 

“[…] On Jan. 12, 2009, the Commanding General of the 7th U.S. Army Joint Multinational Training Command referred charges to general court-martial against Sgt. 1st Class Joseph P. Mayo, 27, formerly assigned to 1st Bn., 18th Inf. Regt.

 

“Mayo is charged with one specification of a violation of the Uniform 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.

 

“A date for the court-martial has not been scheduled at this time. […]”

 

January 6th, 2009 - Immediate Release No. 07010901

Press Release by the 7th Army JMTC Public Affairs Office Grafenwöhr, Germany

 

“[…] On Jan. 5, 2009, the Commanding General of the 7th U.S. Army Joint Multinational Training Command referred charges to general court-martial against Master Sgt. John E. Hatley, 40, formerly assigned to 1st Batt., 18th Inf. Regt.

 

“Hatley is charged with one specification of a violation of the Uniform 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 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 one additional specification of premeditated murder, and one additional specification of conspiracy to commit premeditated murder.

 

“A date for the court-martial has not been scheduled at this time. […]”

 

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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