Ex-contractor given probation in slaying of Afghan

[Coventina]

Source: Associated Press

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP) — A former military contractor was sentenced Friday to probation for shooting and killing a handcuffed prisoner in Afghanistan.

Don Ayala of New Orleans pleaded guilty to manslaughter charges that normally would carry up to eight years in prison. But U.S. District Senior Judge Claude Hilton decided probation was warranted under the circumstances. The man whom Ayala shot had set fire to one of Ayala's colleagues minutes before the shooting.

After the Nov. 4 attack on anthropologist Paula Loyd, Ayala helped subdue the man, Abdul Salam. When Ayala learned the extent of Loyd's burns, he shot Salam at close range.

Ayala was sentenced to five years on probation and a $12,500 fine.

Ayala, 46, initially was charged with murder — the first military contractor charged with the crime while serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.



Read more: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hM067vULxgQQZnSRtoCVH5C8pajAD98241QG0

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This was just a terrible story all around. But, one horrific attack can't be resolved by another.

*sigh*

I'm just very disappointed with humans today.

[ShortnFiery]

1. We have lost our national soul as "the beacon on the hill" of morality.

Of course after reaching adulthood I knew in my heart that "America's Great Moral Character" was NOT true. That those rich, powerful and/or connected will always get away with terrible atrocities.

However, at least I still believed that such high goals COULD be achieved if WE, The American People, stayed involved and selected HONEST leaders of INTEGRITY.

Our Justice System is a reflection of ourselves.

We reap what we sow and it breaks my heart.

Now I can only pray that we can "rise above" but in my heart I now know, we are destine to misery and failure.

God, I hope that I'm wrong ... pray that I'm wrong. :(

[ShortnFiery]

2. This reinforces "revenge" as an approved defense. I'd call it the ...

dumb-ass "Dirty Harry" Defense.

IMO, the morally bankrupt judge must have watched and adored too many "Dirty Harry" (Clint Eastwood) movies as a child. OR he could just view "the enemy soldiers" of our Nation as NOT FULLY HUMAN? Probably a little bit of both of the above.

We all can understand "the act" but MORALITY DEMANDS that a number of years jail time.

But WTH, because the man he killed wasn't a human being after all. Such deluded beliefs (our enemies are animals, savages, NOT human) are often the SECOND Casualties of War. The First Casualty of War is that "the truth gets buried."

Thank GOD that our American Justice System is immune to The Second Casualty of War. :sarcasm:

[ShortnFiery]

3. Wow, what the killer said to the guy - through an interpreter - immediately before he executed him.

The following is a classic "Dirty Harry" revenge defense: :wow: :(

"Prosecutors also released a new detail to counter the notion that Ayala reacted in the heat of the moment. A witness to the shooting reported that before shooting Salam, Ayala gave an interpreter an instruction directed at Salam: "Tell him I think he's the devil."

Not to worry! Probation. NEXT CASE! :crazy:

[Lasher]

4. I might have done the same thing.

It is November 4th, 2008. An American woman, chartered by the U.S. Army, is talking to an Afghan man in a small town 80 kilometers from Kandahar about the price of fuel. Suddenly, he ignites the pitcher of gas he is holding, and throws it on her. She is set aflame. He is immediately captured, held by American contract and uniformed security forces for the ten minutes it takes to get a report on the woman’s condition. She is alive, but horribly burned. A U.S. security contractor presses his pistol against the side of the Afghan’s head and pulls the trigger, killing him instantly.

The woman was Paula Loyd, and she died January 7th of her injuries.

[ShortnFiery]

5. Then you KNOW that you should morally-legally also accept PRISON TIME?

We don't condone such behavior. I KNOW that would have done the exact same thing that this man did, and I WOULD have expected to go to jail. I would have executed this man but I ALSO ACCEPT that it would have been MURDER to kill him "after having the translator telling him he was the devil." Accept the consequences, don't reward vigilantism.

Since this is ACCEPTED (legal precedent), where does it end?

"Emotionally, it's understandable but "morally" and "legally" it's fucking wrong.

Or are we now a nation that supports "an eye for an eye?"

Translation: MURDER and/or EXECUTION of another human being is acceptable in certain circumstances. :grr: :nuke:

[Lasher]

6. I suppose I would have expected nothing at the time except for Abdul Salam to die.

But as I said before, I might have done the same thing. I didn't say I would have. I've never been in a similar situation so I can only speculate.

It is forbidden to kill; therefore all murderers are punished unless they kill in large numbers and to the sound of trumpets. - Voltaire