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The War Profiteers - War Crimes,
Kidnappings, Torture and Big Money |
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May 14th,
2008 - Marine to Stand Trial Over Detainee Killing in Iraq |
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Marine to Stand
Trial Over Detainee Killing in Iraq By Agence France Presse May 14, 2008 Los Angeles - A US Marine is
to face court martial for murder over allegations that an unarmed Iraqi
prisoner was shot dead during fighting in Fallujah in 2004, the military said
Wednesday. A statement released by the
US Marine Corps from their California base at Camp Pendleton said Sergeant
Jermaine Nelson would be tried later this year for charges of unpremeditated
murder and dereliction of duty. The decision to send Nelson
to court martial was made after a pre-trial hearing to weigh evidence against
the soldier earlier this year. Nelson is one of three
soldiers facing charges in the case, which occurred during fierce combat
operations in Fallujah on November 9, 2004. Another Marine sergeant from
Nelson's unit, Ryan Weemer, was charged with murder and dereliction of duty
in March. A third soldier, Jose
Nazario, is being tried in civilian courts in California on manslaughter
charges in connection with the shooting deaths of two Iraqi prisoners.
Nazario, who denies the charges, is awaiting trial. While few details about the
Fallujah case have been revealed by the military, media reports said Marines
shot dead several Iraqi prisoners during the battle for the city. Newspaper reports have said
as many as eight insurgents were shot dead after being captured. Under
military law, the killing of a captured enemy combatant who does not pose a
threat is treated as murder. Copyright © 2008 AFP. All
rights reserved. External link: http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5gI-A4iaeix0SFA7H11ZP853i93uQ |