Posted on 04/12/2005 8:59:05 AM PDT by Dubya
FORT BRAGG, N.C. - An Army sergeant charged with a grenade attack that killed two U.S. officers in Kuwait went on trial Monday, with his lawyer trying to stave off a possible death sentence by arguing that his client was mentally ill.
But a military prosecutor said Sgt. Hasan Akbar knew exactly what he was doing, pointing to his detailed diary entries before the March 2003 attack and the fact that he stole the grenades and cut power to his camp just before striking.
Premeditation is the central issue in the court-martial of Akbar, 33, who confessed several times and allegedly told investigators that he carried out the attack in the opening days of the Iraq war because he was worried that U.S. forces would harm fellow Muslims.
His lawyers hope to spare him a possible death penalty for premeditated murder by arguing for a history of mental illness that stretches back to his teen years and was apparent to the military.
"The enemy was in Sergeant Akbar's mind and had been there 15 years," defense lawyer Maj. Dan Brookhart told the military jury in his opening statement.
Brookhart said that Akbar's mental illness stemmed from the sexual abuse of his sister by his stepfather and that as a teen-ager he was diagnosed with depression and an adjustment disorder. He also developed a sleep disorder and sometimes fell asleep while standing up. In the Army, Akbar's problems led to demotion from squad leader and menial duties in his combat-engineer company.
"He was basically a failure as a soldier," Brookhart said. He noted that as the 101st Airborne Division awaited orders to invade Iraq in spring 2003, Akbar was panicked by talk among his colleagues about their plans to kill Iraqis and rape women.
Military prosecutor Capt. John Benson countered that evidence indicates that Akbar planned extensively through his actions and diary entries.
Fourteen soldiers were wounded by the grenades or when Akbar opened fire with a rifle in the ensuing chaos.
execute the scum.
Kill'em...
NeverGore :^)
I've read this several times and I don't understand why premeditation is the central issue.
Yes, the prosecutors are required to show premeditation in order to get a death sentence for murder.
But they aren't required to prove premeditation in order to get a death sentence for assaulting a superior officer. And they aren't required to prove premeditation in order to get a death sentence for "misbehavior of a sentinel or lookout." (For that matter, they also aren't required to prove premeditation in order to get a death sentence for the charge of trying to aid the enemy.)
Since all these other charges seem to fit, why are we arguing about premeditation?
This defense attorney keeps throwing this line out there. I do wish that if he fails to prove statements such as this that he himself would be brought up on charges of slander. Is he only taking the word of a person that he states is unstable while stating that our troops planned on raping women? Enough is enough. If guilty his client deserves a HANO jump.
The 101st was the assigned unit of one of my sons when he changed his MOS to blackhawk mechanic. I know a lot of our troops with the 101st. They are a fine group of soldiers who just wouldn't even think about doing such a thing. Boy did this make my blood boil!
"He also developed a sleep disorder and sometimes fell asleep while standing up."
That is a defense? It actually sounds like a useful skill. There have been many formations, ceremonies and parent/teacher conferences that I have had to attend where I would have really liked to have been able to grab a few winks on the sly.
Just send him back to his old unit... they will exact the proper justice I am sure.
I expect this guy to get Danny Deever.
Why was this POS not shot the second they caught him?
Because we allow lawyers to make laws! It isn't enough that some dipstick murders innocent folks, we have to know his thoughts and his feelings. Now - thanks to lawyers, we also have to prove he is smart before we find him actually worthy of killing.
In a hundred years - thanks to lawyers - no one will be convicted of any crime, except of course law-abiding, God-fearing Christians.
"What are the bugles blowin' for?" said Files-on-Parade.
"To turn you out, to turn you out", the Colour-Sergeant said.
"What makes you look so white, so white?" said Files-on-Parade.
"I'm dreadin' what I've got to watch", the Colour-Sergeant said.
For they're hangin' Danny Deever, you can hear the Dead March play,
The Regiment's in 'ollow square -- they're hangin' him to-day;
They've taken of his buttons off an' cut his stripes away,
An' they're hangin' Danny Deever in the mornin'.
"What makes the rear-rank breathe so 'ard?" said Files-on-Parade.
"It's bitter cold, it's bitter cold", the Colour-Sergeant said.
"What makes that front-rank man fall down?" said Files-on-Parade.
"A touch o' sun, a touch o' sun", the Colour-Sergeant said.
They are hangin' Danny Deever, they are marchin' of 'im round,
They 'ave 'alted Danny Deever by 'is coffin on the ground;
An' 'e'll swing in 'arf a minute for a sneakin' shootin' hound --
O they're hangin' Danny Deever in the mornin'!
"'Is cot was right-'and cot to mine", said Files-on-Parade.
"'E's sleepin' out an' far to-night", the Colour-Sergeant said.
"I've drunk 'is beer a score o' times", said Files-on-Parade.
"'E's drinkin' bitter beer alone", the Colour-Sergeant said.
They are hangin' Danny Deever, you must mark 'im to 'is place,
For 'e shot a comrade sleepin' -- you must look 'im in the face;
Nine 'undred of 'is county an' the Regiment's disgrace,
While they're hangin' Danny Deever in the mornin'.
"What's that so black agin' the sun?" said Files-on-Parade.
"It's Danny fightin' 'ard for life", the Colour-Sergeant said.
"What's that that whimpers over'ead?" said Files-on-Parade.
"It's Danny's soul that's passin' now", the Colour-Sergeant said.
For they're done with Danny Deever, you can 'ear the quickstep play,
The Regiment's in column, an' they're marchin' us away;
Ho! the young recruits are shakin', an' they'll want their beer to-day,
After hangin' Danny Deever in the mornin'.
That's grim. It seems to fit this situation very well. I don't feel sorry for SGT Akbar -- I'm sorry for the lives he took and the others he wounded.
Then how did he make it to E-5?
Light him up.
If this oxygen thief is allowed to live, there is no justice.
....I hope that is not a recent picture, he should be stripped of all those medals!!!!!
I would have thought that his shevrons would have been stripped by now.
I think the photo is recent -- it may be from yesterday. I guess he'll lose his awards and rank when he's convicted.
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