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The
War Profiteers - War Crimes, Kidnappings & Torture |
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The Massacre of Mahmudiya - The Rape and Murder of
Abeer Qassim Hamsa |
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Newest media report: Soldier’s Remarks in Iraq
Slayings Case Revealed (22/10/2008/Associated
Press) Newest legal document: United States’ Post-Hearing
Brief on Defendant’s Motion (20/11/2008/U.S.
vs. Steven Green) Newest military report: “Dear Mr. Wolff: …”
(26/6/2007/U.S. Department of the Army) |
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Passport of victim
Abeer Qassim Hamsa |
Background - Mahmudiya, March 12th,
2006 “Fifteen-year-old Abeer Qasim Hamza was afraid, her
mother confided in a neighbor. As pretty as she was young, the girl had
attracted the unwelcome attention of U.S. soldiers manning a checkpoint that
the girl had to pass through almost daily in their village in the
south-central city of Mahmudiyah, her mother told the neighbor. “Abeer told her mother again and again in her last
days that the soldiers had made advances toward her, a neighbor, Omar Janabi,
said this weekend, recounting a conversation he said he had with the girl’s
mother, Fakhriyah, on March 10. Fakhriyah feared that the Americans might
come for her daughter at night, at their home. She asked her neighbor if
Abeer might sleep at his house, with the women there. Janabi said he agreed.
Then, ‘I tried to reassure her, remove some of her fear,’ Janabi said. ‘I
told her, the Americans would not do such a thing.’ “Abeer did not live to take up the offer of shelter.
Instead, attackers came to the girl’s house the next day, apparently
separating Abeer from her mother, father and young sister. Janabi and others
knowledgeable about the incident said they believed that the attackers raped
Abeer in another room. Medical officials who handled the bodies also said the
girl had been raped, but they did not elaborate. Before leaving, the
attackers fatally shot the four family members - two of Abeer’s brothers had
been away at school - and attempted to set Abeer’s body on fire, according to
Janabi, another neighbor who spoke on condition of anonymity, the mayor of
Mahmudiyah and a hospital administrator with knowledge of the case. […]” Excerpt
from an article by the
Washington Post from July 3rd, 2006. |
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Steven Green - The Accused “’I came over here because I wanted to kill people.’
- Over a mess-tent dinner of turkey cutlets, the bony-faced 21-year-old
private from West Texas looked right at me as he talked about killing Iraqis
with casual indifference. […] ‘The truth is, it wasn’t all I thought it was
cracked up to be. I mean, I thought killing somebody would be this
life-changing experience. And then I did it, and I was like, ‘All right,
whatever.’ He shrugged. ‘I shot a guy who wouldn’t stop when we were out at a
traffic checkpoint and it was like nothing,’ he went on. ‘Over here, killing
people is like squashing an ant. I mean, you kill somebody and it's like ‘All
right, let’s go get some pizza.’ “[... T]he private was Steven D. Green. The next
time I saw him, in a front-page newspaper photograph five months later, he
was standing outside a federal courthouse in North Carolina, where he had
pled not guilty to charges of premeditated rape and murder. The brutal
killing of a 14-year-old Iraqi girl and her family in Mahmudiyah that he was
accused of had taken place just three weeks after we talked. […]” Excerpt
from an Washington Post article,
July 30th, 2006. |
Steven Dale Green with an AK-47 in a
Texas motel |
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The Mahmudiya Photo & Video Archive The Rape & Murder
Scene in Mahmudiya - Short BBC
Documentary from August 7th, 2006 The Mahmudiya Massacre Images - A Photo
Series The Mahmudiya Media Reports Archive U.S. vs. Steven Green Case File The 2008 Steven Green Case File The 2007 Steven Green Case File The 2006 Steven Green Case File |
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October 22nd, 2008 - Soldier’s Remarks in Iraq
Slayings Case Revealed 1 news
article by the Associated Press October 15th, 2008 - Ky. Judge Sets Hearing in
Iraqi Slaying Case 1 news
article by the Associated Press August 26th, 2008 - Judge Upholds Iraq Charges
Against Former Soldier 1 news article by
the Associated Press July 29th, 2008 - Rulings Expected Soon in
Former Fort Campbell Soldier’s Murder Case 1 news article by
the Associated Press |
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Steven D. Green |
Steven V. Spielman |
Paul E. Cortez |
Bryan L. Howard |
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More Images in the Mahmudiya Massacre Photo Series |
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Charges & Sentences in the Criminal
Proceedings at the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky |
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Defendant |
Pleading |
Main Charges |
Date of Trial |
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Steven Green |
pleaded not guilty |
premeditated murder, conspiracy, sexual
abuse |
April 27th, 2009 |
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Case File:
Criminal Proceedings against Steven D. Green U.S. vs. Steven D. Green U.S. District Court for the Western District of
Kentucky Case No.: 5:06-CR-00019-R (prior to November 3rd,
2006: 3:06 MJ 230) Recent
Proceedings & Filings November 20th, 2008 - United States’ Post-Hearing
Brief on Defendant’s Motion “[…] Comes the United States, by counsel, to brief
the Court following the hearing on defendant Steven Green’s Motion to
Suppress Statements. As the evidence at the hearing showed, Green’s
statements were voluntary and not in response to interrogation. Accordingly, the
defendant’s motion should be denied. “The facts of the case and the principal arguments
of the United States are set forth in its Response to Defendant’s Motion to
Suppress Statements. Res. to Def. Mot. of Oct. 7, 2008, Doc. No. 154.
Considering the arguments in that Response and the evidence offered at the hearing,
the United States respectfully submits that the sole issue on the motion
before the Court is whether Green’s statements upon arrest and during transport
were made in response to ‘interrogation’ under Miranda v. Arizona, 384 U.S.
436, 444 (1966). […]” November 7th, 2008 - Notice of Filing of Official
Transcript “Notice of filing of official transcript of Proceedings as to Steven
D. Green held on October 29, 2008, before Judge Thomas B. Russell. Court
Reporter/Transcriber Terri Turner, Telephone number 270-415-6417. Transcript
may be viewed at the court public terminal or purchased through the Court
Reporter/Transcriber before the deadline for Release of Transcript
Restriction. After that date it may be obtained through PACER. Redaction
Request due 11/28/2008. Redacted Transcript Deadline set for 12/8/2008. Release
of Transcript Restriction set for 2/5/2009. […]” November 6th, 2008 - Order “[…] This matter is before the Court on the motion of the United
States to accept the late filing of its Response to Defendant’s Motion to
Preserve Agents’ Notes. The Court having considered the motion, and being
otherwise sufficiently advised, it is ordered that the motion of the United
States be and it is hereby granted. […]” November 4th, 2008 - Order “[…] It is ordered. “1. A hearing on the Defendant’s Motion to Suppress Statements was
held on October 29, 2008. “2. The parties stated they would not call any additional witnesses. “3. The United States shall file a brief 2 weeks after the filing of
the official court transcript. The Defendant shall file a brief 2 weeks
thereafter with any reply due in 1 week. Counsel for the United States shall
notify the Court by letter, with a copy to opposing counsel, when the matter
is ripe for a decision. “4. The suppression hearing set on November 3, 2008 is vacated. […]” The 2008 Steven Green Case File The 2007 Steven Green Case File The 2006 Steven Green Case File |
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Charges & Sentences by the Military Tribunal at
Fort Campbell |
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Defendant |
Pleading |
Main Charges |
Sentences |
Sentencing Dates |
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Paul Cortez |
pleaded guilty |
premeditated murder, conspiracy, rape |
100 years confinement |
February 22nd, 2007 |
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James Barker |
pleaded guilty |
premeditated murder, conspiracy, rape |
life sentence |
November 15th, 2006 |
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Jesse Spielman |
pleaded not guilty |
premeditated murder, conspiracy, rape |
110 years confinement |
August 4th, 2007 |
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Bryan Howard |
pleaded guilty |
premeditated murder, conspiracy, rape |
27 months confinement |
March 21st, 2007 |
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The Military Tribunals, Reports &
Documents |
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June 26th,
2007 - “Dear Mr.
Wolff: …” Letter by the U.S. Department of the Army “[…] Thank you for your May 10, 2007 letter to the Secretary of
Defense and Secretary of the Army concerning consideration of a military
court-martial for your client, the former Private First Class Steven Green.
[…] “The proposed option, which would allow your client to voluntarily
reenlist in the Army so that his criminal case could be pursued under the
Uniform Code of Military Justice, has been carefully considered. However, the
101st Airborne Division (Air AssauIt) does not wish to pursue this
course of action. […]” May 10th, 2007 - Re: Former Army PFC Steven
Green/SSN [redacted] Letter by Darren C. Wolff February 15th, 2007
- Re: Steven Green/SSN
[redacted] Letter by Darren C. Wolff “[…] I appreciate you taking the time over the past few months to
speak with me regarding former PFC Steven Green’s case. As one of his
civilian defense attorneys, I want to reduce to writing what I have verbally
discussed with you regarding the possibility of Mr. Green voluntarily
re-enlisting in the Army in order to subject himself to the military justice
system. At this time, Mr. Green’s civilian defense team would like to
formally begin discussions regarding this issue and I encourage you to send
this correspondence up the chain of command so action can be taken as
necessary to ensure this possibility is thoroughly investigated. “If an agreement is reached, Mr. Green will undoubtedly agree to testify
truthfully at any proceedings involving the military co-accused. We can
certainly discuss any further details of such an agreement should the Army
express an interest in pursuing Mr. Green’s re-enlistment. […]” November 16th, 2006 - 2nd Bde Soldier Sentenced Press release by the Public Affairs Office, Fort Campbell, Kentucky “[…] Spc. James Barker pleaded guilty Wednesday and was sentenced today
on charges arising from incidents occurring at Yousifiyah, Iraq last March
during the 101st Airborne Division’s deployment for Operation Iraqi Freedom. “Barker was charged with premeditated murder, rape, conspiracy to
commit premeditated murder and rape, conspiracy to obstruct justice,
obstruction of justice, violating a lawful general order, arson and
housebreaking. He pleaded guilty to all charges and specifications and the
military judge subsequently found him guilty of all charges and specifications
and sentenced him to life with eligibility for parole and a dishonorable
discharge. […]” November 13th, 2006
- 2nd Brigade Soldiers
to be arraigned Press release by the Public Affairs Office, Fort Campbell, Kentucky October 18th, 2006
- Charges against
2nd Brigade Soldiers referred for general court-martial Press release by the Public Affairs Office, Fort Campbell, Kentucky September 4th, 2006
- Officials: ‘No
Evidence’ Ties Dead Soldiers to Mahmudiyah Crimes 1 article by the American Forces Press Service July 10th, 2006 - Four Soldiers Accused of
Rape, Murder 1 article by the Coalition Forces Land Component Command July 8th, 2006 - Charge Sheet of Jesse
V. Spielman Report by the U.S.
Department of the Army “[…] Specification 1: In that Private First Class Jesse V. Spielman,
U.S. Army, did, at or near Yousifiyah, Iraq, between on or about 5 March 2006
and on or about 12 March 2006, conspire with Sergeant Paul Cortez, Specialist
James Barker, Private First Class Bryan Howard and Private First Class Steven
Green to commit offenses under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, to wit:
rape and premeditated murder, and in order to effect the object of the
conspiracy the said Private First Class Jesse Spielman, Sergeant Paul Cortez,
Specialist James Baker, and Private First Class Steven Green did unlawfulfy
enter the home of Kassirn Hamzah Rashid Al Janabi and commit the offenses of
rape and murder therein. “Specification 2: In that Private First Class Jesse V. Spielman, U.S.
Army, did, at or near Yousifiyah, Iraq, on or about 12 March 2006, conspire
with Specialist James Barker, Sergeant Paul Cortez and Private First Class
Steven Green to commit an offense under the Uniform Code of Military Justice,
to wit: obstruction of justice in the case of the said Private First Class
Jesse V. Spielman, Specialist James Barker, Sergeant Paul Cortez, Private
First Class Bryan Howard and Private First Class Steven Green with regard to
the murders of Kassim Hamzah Rashid Al Janabi, Fakhriah Taha Mahsin Moussa Al
Janabi, Abier Kassim Hamzah Rashid Al Janabi, and Hadeel Kassim Hamzah Rashid
Al Janabi and the rape of Abier Kassim Hamzah Rashid Al Janabi and in order
to effect the object of the conspiracy, the said Specialist James Barker,
Sergeant Paul Cortez, Private First Class Jesse V. Spielman and Private First
Class Steven Green did cause to be burned the body of Abier Kassim Hamzah
Rashid Al Janabi, the said Specialist James Barker, Sergeant Paul Cortez, and
Private First Class Steven Green did cause to be burned the clothes they wore
during the aforementioned murders and rape, and the said Private First Class
Jesse Spielman threw into a canal a firearm used to commit the aforementioned
murders. […]” July 8th, 2006 - Charge Sheet of Bryan
L. Howard Report by the U.S.
Department of the Army July 8th, 2006 - Charge Sheet of James
P. Barker Report by the U.S.
Department of the Army July 8th, 2006 - Charge Sheet of Paul E.
Cortez Report by the U.S.
Department of the Army May 16th, 2006 - Certificate of Discharge
from Active Duty/Steven Dale Green Report by the U.S.
Department of the Army/Fort Campbell “[…]
23. Type of Separation[:] Discharge “24.
Character of Service […][:] Honorable “[…]
28. Narrative Reason for Separation[:] Personality Disorder […]” December 9th, 2005 - Coalition Forces keep
Streets of Iraq safe 1 article by the
Army News Service |
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War Scenes from Mahmudiya |
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During U.S. invasion (2003) |
U.S. army patrolling streets (2004) |
The rape & murder scene (2006) |
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Background 1) Passport of
Abeer Qassim Hamsa - July 2006 - Mohammed Hato/Associated Press; 2) Steven Green in
motel room - undated - Newsweek (August 7th, 2006 edition); The Accused Series 1) Steven Green
Mugshot - July 3rd, 2006 - Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office; 2) Jesse V.
Spielman as U.S. soldier - undated - Chambersburg Public Opinion; 3) Paul E. Cortez
in highschool - 2000 - 'Centurion’ - Yearbook for Central High School in
Barstow, California; 4) Bryan L. Howard
- undated - Highschool yearbook; War Scenes from Mahmudiya 1) The city during the U.S. invasion - April 2003 -
CJ; 2) U.S. army patrol in Mahmudiya - 2004 - Khalid
Mohammed/Associated Press; 3) Hussein Mohammed points to the floor where he
found the body of Abeer - July 6th, 2006 - Ali
Al-Mahmouri/Associated Press; |
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Gulf War/Iraq Invasion II |
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