Sgt. to testify in Iraq slaying trial

[unhappycamper]

Sgt. to testify in Iraq slaying trial
By George Frey - The Associated Press
Posted : Tuesday Feb 17, 2009 15:43:56 EST

VILSECK, Germany — An Army sergeant will testify against a fellow patrol member accused in the killing of four Iraqi prisoners who were bound, blindfolded, shot in the head and dumped in a Baghdad canal, a military judge ruled Tuesday.

Sgt. Michael Leahy Jr., 26, of Lockport, Illinois, is charged with conspiracy to commit premeditated murder and obstruction of justice. He faces possible life in prison and dishonorable discharge if convicted at the court-martial that opened Tuesday at the military’s Rose Barracks Courthouse.

Leahy is one of six soldiers accused of involvement in the slaying of the prisoners sometime between March 10 and April 16, 2007. He is one of three accused of shooting the victims.

The soldiers were with the 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, in Iraq, which is now part of the Germany-based 172nd Infantry Brigade.

Another soldier initially accused of having been involved in the incident, Staff Sgt. Jess Cunningham, 27, of Bakersfield, California, had charges of conspiracy to commit premeditated murder dropped by the Army last week.


Rest of article at: http://armytimes.com/news/2009/02/ap_army_court_martial_021709/%2e