|
The War Profiteers - War Crimes,
Kidnappings, Torture and Big Money |
|
August 1st,
2007 - Soldier Testifies Against Colleague in Rape-Slaying Case |
|
Soldier Testifies Against Colleague
in Rape-Slaying Case By Ryan Lenz Associated Press August 1, 2007, 3:10PM Fort Campbell, Ky. - A
soldier charged in the killings of a 14-year-old Iraqi girl and her family
stood over his colleagues as they raped the girl and pointed his weapon at
the door for security, another soldier testified Wednesday. Pfc. Jesse Spielman, whose
court-martial entered its third day Wednesday, was within a few feet of the
others as they held the girl down kicking and screaming, and he did nothing
to stop them, Sgt. Paul E. Cortez testified. Military prosecutor Maj.
William Fischbach asked Cortez if Spielman objected to the rape. "When, if ever, does
Spielman say, 'My God, Cortez, what are you doing?'" Cortez, his lips trembling,
replied: "He doesn't." Cortez previously pleaded
guilty to the March 2006 attack on Abeer Qassim al-Janabi and her family and
was sentenced to 100 years behind bars. Two other soldiers convicted in the
attack also were expected to testify against Spielman. A fourth accused soldier,
Steven D. Green, was discharged from the military before he was charged and
could face the death penalty if found guilty in federal court in Kentucky.
Green grew up in Midland, Texas. Prosecutors do not allege
that Spielman took part in the girl's rape or the killings of her, her sister
and their parents. He was charged with rape and murder under a military law
that allows the charges if prosecutors can prove he went to the house knowing
what the others intended to do. The other soldiers have told
investigators that Spielman, 22, of Chambersburg, Pa., knew of the plan to
rape the girl and was present when they worked out details over whiskey. Defense attorneys said in
their opening statements that the soldiers testifying against Spielman have
given contradictory accounts. In its cross-examination of Cortez, the defense
questioned whether intoxication and combat stress might have affected his
memory. Cortez told military
investigators that another soldier closed a door to the bedroom after
separating the girl from her parents and sister. In another statement,
however, he said Spielman closed the door and held it shut. © 2007 The Associated Press External link: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/nation/5019128.html |