Four Iraqis were allegedly killed to prevent release

[unhappycamper]

Four Iraqis were allegedly killed to prevent release
By Seth Robson, Stars and Stripes
Mideast edition, Saturday, December 6, 2008

VILSECK, Germany — U.S. soldiers who allegedly executed four detainees in Baghdad last year were frustrated that dangerous insurgents they had captured in the past were put back on the streets, according to witnesses who testified at a pretrial hearing in Vilseck this week.

An Article 32 investigation was held this week for Sgt. 1st Class Joseph P. Mayo on a charge of premeditated murder. Two other soldiers, 1st Sgt. John E. Hatley and Sgt. Michael P. Leahy Jr. also have been implicated in the alleged killings.

Company A, 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment soldiers who were with the accused when the alleged victims were detained testified that they found the four Iraqi men with a large cache of weapons, ammunition and military equipment, including night-vision goggles, body armor, grenades, machine guns and thousands of bullets.

Spc. Justin Lamanna, who was on the patrol that captured the detainees, said the men were found in possession of "a collection of crap that you are not allowed to have in a war zone if you are not an American."

Joshua Hartson, a former Army specialist who served alongside the accused in Iraq, testified via telephone from California on Thursday. He said Hatley pulled him aside after the men were detained.


Rest of article at: http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=59244

[Peace Patriot]

1. "...a collection of crap that you are not allowed to have...

"...a collection of crap that you are not allowed to have in a war zone if you are not an American."

Tells you a lot about Iraqi "freedom."