US soldier's rape sentence cut due to Iraq stress

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/03/07/AR2006030700921.html

ROME (Reuters) - A U.S. soldier who raped a Nigerian woman in Italy was given a lighter sentence because the court deemed his tour of duty in Iraq had made him less sensitive to the suffering of others.

According to an Italian court document obtained by Reuters on Tuesday, James Michael Brown, a 27-year-old paratrooper from Oregon stationed in northern Italy, was sentenced to five years and eight months for rape in February 2004.

Brown beat and handcuffed the woman, a Nigerian resident in the town of Vicenza. He raped her vaginally and anally and left her to wander the streets naked in search of help.

The crime would have earned him an eight-year sentence, but the judges reduced the penalty due to the "extenuating circumstances" of the psychological effects of Brown's year of service in Iraq, the document said.

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

1. So becoming a callous, heartless bastard is now an "extenuating

circumstance"?

[BOSSHOG]

2. Very bad precedent

His name will come up in future trials. What if a soldier comes back to the States from Iraq and rapes a white college student from a rich republican family. Five year sentence?? Not! Unless the young republicans turn out to support the troop. Per the WAPO story this guy may not do any time at all if returned to the States.

[Fleshdancer]

3. this is complete bullshit

This is dehumanizing to women and an insult to the vast majority of servicemen who endure the same level of stress without becoming a complete monster.