Jury acquits soldier charged with Iraqi murder

A court-martial panel on Friday found a Hawaii-based soldier not guilty in the killing of an unarmed Iraqi during a raid on a suspected insurgent hideout last year.

Sgt. 1st Class Trey Corrales' friends and family erupted in cheers when the head of the military panel, or jury, read the verdict.

The jury of nine soldiers acquitted Corrales of all three charges, including premeditated murder, after more than seven hours of deliberation.

In January, PVT Brian Shore, a member of Corrales' platoon was found guilty of assault in this same case. He had been ordered by Corrales to "finish off" the Iraqi. He refused but fired twice into the ground.

The 25th Division Commander at the time, Major General BR Mixon demanded against the recommendations of the Art 32 Investigating Officer, a trial for "3rd Degree Murder". Shore refused to agree to any plea deals and went forward with the trial and was found guilty of assault and sentenced to more than 100 days in jail and a two grade reduction.

Now the admitted shooter, the guy who put bullets in the back of the Iraqi, goes free while Shore sits in jail.

This makes me ashamed of the Army and its legal system. Railroading young soldiers, trying to appease military haters and destroying careers and lives in an effort to be PC has become the norm. I guess "Kangaroo Court" is an apt term now for anyone brought before a court martial for alleged crimes associated with Iraq or Afghanistan.

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.