US soldier gets 27-month in Iraq gang-rape case

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.khaleejtimes.ae/DisplayArticleNew.asp?xfile=data/focusoniraq/2007/March/focusoniraq_March154.xml§ion=focusoniraq&col=

US soldier gets 27-month in Iraq gang-rape case
(Reuters)

22 March 2007

CHICAGO - A US soldier who pleaded guilty in connection with the rape of a 14-year-old Iraqi girl and the killing of her family was sentenced to 27 months in prison, officials at Ft. Campbell in Kentucky said on Wednesday.

Pvt. Bryan Howard, 20, also drew a dishonorable discharge after entering a plea agreement at his court-martial, a statement from the post said.

He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to obstruct justice and being an accessory after the fact. Murder and rape charges against Howard were dismissed by the government based on his limited role in the crimes, the announcement said.

[Jacobin]

1. Good thing he didn't hold up a 7-11 for fifty bucks

He'd be doing 25 to 50 hard time.

[ThomCat]

3. Seriously.

x(

What does this say about how little we value the lives of people in Iraq, especially the women?

[frylock]

11. or sell an ounce of weed..

un-fucking-believable.

[helderheid]

2. Murder and rape charges against Howard were dismissed

:wtf:

[ThomCat]

5. So our soldiers can rape a child, commit multiple murders

and be free in just over 2 years?

That really is totally sick.

[Iwasthere]

4. deserves a lot more punishment than that

This was sicker than sick. Killed her family too for Gods sake! This doesn't look good to all our allies around the globe. oh wait, we don't have any left do we? I wonder why? You know, B*sh also used to gleefully blow up small animals as a kid, 'like pres - like stressed mentally unstable soldier'.

[gratuitous]

6. Sounds like a minor after-the-fact player

But this wasn't simply a "gang-rape case" as the headline notes; though in and of itself, that's pretty heinous. But much worse are the crimes that ensued, including the execution of the girl's family in order to cover up the original crime, and presumably to intimidate other Iraqi nationals who might consider reporting other crimes perpetrated by our military.

The Muslim world will surely get the message, though: We consider entire families of yours to be worth 27 months.

[NNN0LHI]

8. I have read he was the lookout for the other thugs while they did the deed

I don't know about the "minor after-the-fact player" stuff.

Don

[gratuitous]

9. That's probably my fault

I'm trusting the reporter's account that Mr. Howard was deemed to have a limited role in the crime. I'm old enough to know better.

[WindRavenX]

7. only 27 months?

My god. :puke:

[mike_c]

10. justice, American style-- this is why we MUST join the ICC....

The American military CANNOT be trusted to handle its own justice fairly.