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The War Profiteers - War Crimes,
Kidnappings & Torture |
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August 14th,
2009 - US Army Reduces Soldiers’ Murder Sentences |
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US Army Reduces Soldiers’ Murder
Sentences By George Frey Associated Press August 14, 2009 Frankfurt - The U.S. Army
said Friday it had reduced the sentences of three soldiers convicted of
murder in the execution-style slayings of four bound and blindfolded Iraqi
detainees. Master Sgt. John Hatley,
sentenced to life in prison in April, will instead receive 40 years, the
military told the Associated Press. He will still receive a
dishonorable discharge and be reduced to the rank of private. Sgt. Michael Leahy and Sgt.
1st Class Joseph Mayo - sentenced respectively to life in prison in February
and 35 years in March - had their sentences reduced to 20 years, the military
said. They will also receive bad conduct discharges instead of dishonorable
discharges. The sentence reductions came
after a standard review of the cases, the Army said. The soldiers were all with
the 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 1st Infantry Division
while in Iraq. The unit is now part of the Germany-based 172nd Infantry
Brigade. According to court
proceedings over the last year, the four Iraqis were taken into custody in
spring 2007 after an exchange of fire with Hatley's unit. The Iraqis were taken to the
unit's base although there wasn't enough evidence to hold them for attacking
the unit. Later that night patrol members took the Iraqis to a remote area
and shot them, dumping the bodies in a canal. External link: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hYtcV7GUHRC88uGXnQ8Hl6I5lvbAD9A2LHA00 |