|
The War Profiteers - War Crimes,
Kidnappings, Torture and Big Money |
|
August 24th,
2008 - Soldier Lied about Detainee’s Release, Army Says |
|
Soldier Lied
about Detainee’s Release, Army Says Investigation of two 101st soldiers continues in Iraq By Jake Lowary The Clarksville Leaf-Chronicle August 24, 2008 More information related to
the alleged premeditated murder of an Iraqi detainee by two 101st Airborne
Division soldiers was released Saturday morning. Maj. Peggy Kageleiry wrote
in an e-mail response to The Leaf-Chronicle that 1st Lt. Michael C. Behenna,
25, claimed he released the detainee to friendly Iraqis near Bayji, knowing
that was untrue. Behenna, an Edmond, Okla.,
native, and Staff Sgt. Hal M. Warner, 34, have been charged with premeditated
murder in the death of Ali Mansur Mohamed, an Iraqi detainee who was thought
to be released by U.S. forces around May 16. "The specifications on
the charge sheet states (that) 1st Lt. Behenna claimed he released the
detainee to the Mezra Sons of Iraq near the town of Bayji, which was known to
Behenna to be false," Kageleiry wrote. "At what specific point in
the process of the detainee's release proceedings he was killed is under
investigation." The Associated Press
reported the charge sheet stated Mohamed was killed "by means of
shooting him with a pistol" at or near their forward operating base near
Bayji. Officials haven't told The
Leaf-Chronicle or the Associated Press who they believe fired the pistol. Kageleiry also wrote that no
details of Mohamed's detainment are being released. She indicated he was from
the Bayji area, which is in the North Salad ad Din province. Warner, of Bragg, Okla., is
an infantry platoon sergeant, according to Kageleiry, and Behenna is a
platoon leader. Both are assigned to D Company, 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry
Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team. An Article 32 hearing for
Warner - the equivalent of a preliminary hearing in civilian court - was
reset from Aug. 15 to Sept. 5, and will be held at Contingency Operating Base
Speicher, Iraq. The hearing will determine if there is enough evidence
against Warner to stand trial. In addition to the murder
charges, both are charged with making a false official statement, assault and
obstruction of justice. Warner is also facing a charge of accessory after the
fact. Behenna is on his first
deployment to Iraq, and Warner his second. Both have been in Iraq for 10
months, Kageleiry wrote. The 1st BCT was to deploy for 15 months. William Lewis, who is
married to one of Warner's cousins and who lives in Clarksville, said Warner
was on his third tour with the 101st in Iraq. Lewis also said Warner's
family is steeped in military tradition. Warner's father retired from the
Special Forces, after serving four tours in Vietnam, Lewis said. Warner's
uncle retired from the Special Forces after multiple tours in Vietnam. Warner's grandfather served
in World War II and retired as a major after 28 years of service. Warner's
great-great-grandfather fought for the Union Army and was captured and held
prisoner at the Battle of Shiloh during the Civil War. Warner also has an
ancestor who fought at Fort Ticonderoga during the Revolutionary War, Lewis
said. If convicted, the evidence
and facts of the case will determine sentencing, Kageleiry wrote. "Depending on the
results of the investigation, the potential punishment could include the
possibility of life imprisonment without parole," she wrote. External link: http://www.theleafchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080824/NEWS01/808240360 |