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The War Profiteers - War Crimes,
Kidnappings, Torture and Big Money |
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April 19th,
2008 - Court-Martial for Soldier Accused of Shooting Unarmed Iraqi |
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Court-Martial
for Soldier Accused of Shooting Unarmed Iraqi By Audrey McAvoy Associated Press April 19, 2008 Honolulu - A platoon
sergeant accused of shooting an unarmed Iraqi and then ordering another U.S.
soldier to "finish him" faces a court martial this week for
premeditated murder. Sgt. 1st Class Trey
Corrales, of San Antonio, faces a minimum of life with parole if convicted. The Iraqi man was shot
multiple times in the head and chest near the town of Kirkuk when Corrales'
platoon raided a suspected insurgent hide out on June 23. The U.S. military
hasn't been able to identify the man by name. Pvt. Christopher Shore, the
soldier Corrales allegedly ordered to fire additional shots at the man, was
found not guilty of third-degree murder in a February court-martial but
convicted of aggravated assault. He was sentenced to 120 days in prison and a
two-grade reduction in rank. Shore, 26, admitted he shot
at the man but said he intentionally missed. The Winder, Ga., native said he
fired his weapon because he was afraid of outwardly disobeying Corrales, a
soldier his defense team portrayed as abusive and prone to violence. Shore is expected to testify
at Corrales' court-martial. Besides premeditated murder,
the Army is charging Corrales, 35, with wrongfully soliciting another soldier
to shoot an unarmed, wounded Iraq. A third charge alleges Corrales planted an
AK-47 rifle next to the victim after he was shot. Frank Spinner, Corrales'
lawyer, did not return a phone call seeking comment. A jury - called a
"panel" in the military justice system - of at least five soldiers
will determine Shore's guilt or innocence. They would also sentence Corrales
if they convict him. Corrales is due to be
arraigned on Monday, while the trial is expected to start Wednesday and last
three or four days. The prosecution and the
defense are expected to argue several motions before Wright on Monday,
including one submitted by the government to prevent the introduction of
evidence related to post-traumatic stress disorder. Corrales and Shore deployed
to Iraq for 15 months starting in mid-2006 with the 25th Infantry Division's
3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team based outside Honolulu. Copyright © 2008 The
Associated Press. External link: http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jzuwkhrcOZ-H5K2HgCBMz-ICJ0nwD905FG200 |