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The War Profiteers - War Crimes,
Kidnappings, Torture and Big Money |
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February 23rd,
2007 - Nationwide Support for Sweetwater Soldier Accused of Murder |
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Nationwide Support
for Sweetwater Soldier Accused of Murder By Sonu Wasu Wate 6 News February 23, 2007 Sweetwater - Thousands of
people from all over the country are donating money to help a Sweetwater
soldier charged with murder. Staff Sgt. Raymond Girouard
is accused of killing Iraqi civilians. His hearing begins in about three
weeks. Three other soldiers charged
in the same crime have already learned their fate because they accepted plea
agreements. If found guilty, all could
have been sent to prison for the rest of their lives with no chance for
parole. Pvt. Corey Clagett and Spec.
William Hunsaker have both been sentenced to 18 years in prison. They will be
up for parole in five years. Spec. Juston Graber has been
sentenced to nine months in prison. The fourth soldier, Staff
Sgt. Raymond Girouard of Sweetwater refuses to accept a deal, saying he is
innocent. The murders took place 60
miles north of Baghdad, near Samarra. It was during a raid on a suspected
insurgent camp. Lawyers for the men have
said the soldiers received orders to kill all military-aged men they
encountered. Some of the soldiers have
said they freed three prisoners there and ordered them to run, then they shot
them while they were running. One soldier has testified
they then staged a phony crime scene to make it look like the Iraqis had
tried to escape. Girouard is sticking by his
story, saying he was only following orders that came from Brigade Commander
Col. Michael Steele. Residents in Sweetwater are
standing behind Girouard. His sister, Joy Oakes, says Girouard feels betrayed
by the military but he still stands behind the service. "This is war.
That's the bottom line. It's war. We send these boys over there. War is
premeditated." Col. Steele is the same
colonel who was portrayed in the movie "Black Hawk Down." He gained
fame for leading Army Rangers in the 1993 battle for Mogadishu in Somalia. Steele is denying that he
gave the four soldiers any orders to kill Iraqi civilians. 6 News has learned
the colonel was reprimanded for the actions. Military documents state he gave
improper orders to the soldiers. Family members say there was
a misunderstanding or a lack of communication when the orders were issued. Steele is expected to
testify during this court martial. Posters and bumper stickers
are up all over Sweetwater, showing support for their hometown soldier. It is hard to find any
residents who do not support Girourd in the tight knit community. From friends to strangers,
many have contributed to Sgt. Girourd's legal fund. The family still has
about $7,500 left to raise. The American Legion's Post 106
is collecting donations for the family. External link: http://www.wate.com/Global/story.asp?S=6134410 |