Translator testifies he saw officer shoot Iraqi

[unhappycamper]

Translator testifies he saw officer shoot Iraqi
By Kristin M. Hall - The Associated Press
Posted : Thursday Feb 26, 2009 6:22:43 EST

FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. — An Iraqi translator told a military jury at Fort Campbell on Wednesday that he saw an Army officer shoot and kill an Iraqi detainee.

The testimony came at the trial of 1st Lt. Michael Behenna, of Edmond, Okla., who is charged with premeditated murder, assault and making a false statement.

Behenna is accused of killing Ali Mansour Mohammed in May 2008 near Beiji, Iraq. If convicted of premeditated murder, he faces a mandatory life prison sentence without parole.

A second Fort Campbell soldier charged in the case — Staff Sgt. Hal Warner, of Braggs, Okla. — agreed to testify against Behenna as a part of a plea agreement.

The translator, identified in court as “Harry,” also said he saw Warner set fire to the detainee’s body with a grenade.


Rest of article at: http://armytimes.com/news/2009/02/ap_behenna_charged_022509/%2e