5 U.S. GIs Charged in Iraq Rape-Slay Case

AP ^ | 7-9-06 | ROBERT H. REID

[Anti-Bubba182]

Related story about Green:Ex-GI Accused in Iraq Rape Had Rocky Past

Complaint on Green lists others (But not Named):U.S. v. Steven D. Green

This development is no surprise, these charges were coming. I believe Green is the ringleader, like Spc. Charles Graner was in Abu Ghraib, but it doesn't excuse the others.

[SandRat]

Now compare the AP spin to what is in this one Five Soldiers Charged in Iraqi Rape, Murder Case (The unvarnished truth so, far. No Spin)

[oceanview]

what's the general FR "vibe" on this case. It seems very different then the Haditha case, I don't know how to read this one.

[muawiyah]

You can believe anything you want. On the other hand this Green fellow seems to have been the primary witness ~ yet he was discharged for an anti-social personality disorder. For all any of us know he may be totally delusional.

I'm letting this one play out quite a bit more before coming to conclusions.

[SandRat]

FR hasn't got too worked up on it yet, but as the eveidence comes out during the Art. 32 hearing I believe that the case for the prosecution could well collapse like a house of cards.

[Rocky Mountain High]

It doesn't look good. Generally speaking, most people aren't charged for "nothing".
When I was in the army and we were getting mobilized for Desert Storm, one of our squad leaders commented to me that I should be thrilled becuase "war is free murder".
I am a vet, but not everyone in the armed forces is an angel.

[sinkspur]

FR hasn't got too worked up on it yet, but as the eveidence comes out during the Art. 32 hearing I believe that the case for the prosecution could well collapse like a house of cards.

Or not. Two of these soldiers have implicated themselves.

[oceanview]

to what degree, what have they said?

[SandRat]

So say the reporters this has not been entered into evidence yet nor has there been any indication that they were afforded their rights under Miranda or Art 31, had benefit of Counsel during questioning, or in the case of the one now out of service that he had been ruled competent to stand trial or a ruling if the information that led to the investigation was given in Dr Patient confidence then such information would be inadmissible and any using that information that led to additional information. Should be interesting proceedings none the less.

[muawiyah]

Greene implicated himself, but he's got a mental problem. He also pled not guilty. We'll see how high quality all the other statements are.

[Big Horn]

The TV news has found them guilty.

[Bittersweetmd]

"The soldiers drank alcohol, abandoned their checkpoint, changed clothes to avoid detection and headed to the victims' house, about 200 yards from a U.S. military checkpoint in the so-called "Triangle of Death," a Sunni Arab area south of Baghdad known for its violence, the affidavit said."

This is what sounds strange to me. Five soldiers all in it together and all risking detection, being caught and taking the chance on being kidnapped. If caught by the enemy being tortured and having your head slowly sawed off. Somehow not too believable with the above scenario.

[abb]

"The soldiers drank alcohol, abandoned their checkpoint, changed clothes to avoid detection and headed to the victims' house, about 200 yards from a U.S. military checkpoint in the so-called "Triangle of Death," a Sunni Arab area south of Baghdad known for its violence, the affidavit said."

I call bullshit. What we don't know is who told the investigators this story. It's gonna go away.

But the Drive-By Media has what they wanted anyway - the headline...

[BluH2o]

The soldiers drank alcohol, abandoned their checkpoint, changed clothes to avoid detection and headed to the victims' house, about 200 yards from a U.S. military checkpoint in the so-called "Triangle of Death," a Sunni Arab area south of Baghdad known for its violence, the affidavit said.

OK ... let me see if I have this right ... the soldiers had alcohol at their checkpoint, which I find highly unlikely ... they had a convenient change of clothing available, again, highly unlikely. Not saying this could have happened, only that it's highly improbable it played out in that fashion.
Bottom line, in order to impress the Iraqi's and the world in general what upfront people we are ... sell out a few lower ranking enlisted types to prove the point. Not that it was right ... scenarios similar to this in WWII played out in combat zones frequently on both sides ... with few, if any, repercussions. In todays ever so politically correct world, if you're on our side, don't f*** up ... if you do, your butt is grass and the liberal media is the lawn mower. If you're a terrorist, no problem ... as evidenced by the murder and mutilation of two Army soldiers a couple of weeks ago. The NY Times gave that story front page coverage for one day and dropped it ... yet a year earlier the abu Garib prison incident, in the first sixty days garnered 140 individual separate stories ... 120 of which appeared on the NY Times front page ... all extremely critical of our military.

[cardinal4]

Ex-soldier Steven D. Green was arrested last week in North Carolina and has pleaded not guilty to one count of rape and four counts of murder.

I thought he confessed...?

[Yaelle]

Anti-social personality disorder has nothing to do with being delusional. Persons with this disorder have absolutely no conscience. They are often quite smart and know how to fake emotions to get along in this world. Think Scott Peterson, think Ted Bundy.

There is nothing that can be done psychologically or psychiatry-wise to "cure" any personality disorder. This is the worst one of all of them, obviously. One has to simply keep track of these individuals to try and prevent crimes and harm. They lie as easily as breathe, and laws and rules mean nothing to them. They may lean on some people but they could never actually be a true friend.

[Marine_Uncle]

"The preferral of court-marital charges is merely an accusation, according to today's statement. "Those accused are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt," officials stated."
From your URL reference. We shall see.
This case does appear different in many respects from the Haditha case.
The Marines are going to be acquited from any charges, whereas these Airborne boys may be in a heap of trouble if the fifth soldier actually saw the four do what is alleged to have happen.

[muawiyah]

Remember, someone other than you decided what his personality disorder was. I merely speculated that he might well be delusional.

Count in a misdiagnosis as a distinct possibility.

Greene wouldn't be the first mentally ill soldier thought to be just an incorrigible trouble-maker.

[muawiyah]

BTW, concerning the Peterson guy, I thought he was a socio-path, and that's not classed with "personality disorders" is it?

[Androcles]

Agreed. Statistically, it is inevitable crimes like this occur in times of war. The hallmark of a good army is that they investigate and punish these scum.