Posted on 11/13/2006 10:58:58 PM PST by jamese777
CAMP PENDLETON, United States (AFP) - A fourth US serviceman is to plead guilty for his role in the death of an Iraqi civilian outside Baghdad earlier this year, lawyers representing the soldier said. Steven Immel, attorney for Lance Corporal Jerry Shumate, said the 21-year-old US Marine would plead guilty to aggravated assault when he appears at a hearing next week at Camp Pendleton, southern California.
Shumate is alleged to have been part of a group of eight servicemen -- seven Marines and a Navy medic -- accused of killing 52-year-old Hashim Ibrahim Awad in Hamdania, outside Baghdad in April.
Prosecutors and witnesses in earlier hearings say the soldiers dragged Awad from his home and shot him before covering up the killing to make it look as if he was an Iraqi insurgent planting roadside bombs.
Two Marines and a Navy medic have already pleaded guilty to charges relating to the killing, while another four indicted Marines have yet to stand trial.
The killing is one of a series of incidents that has tarnished the reputation of US troops in Iraq.
"The killing is one of a series of incidents that has tarnished the reputation of US troops in Iraq."
Yep, just like the statements of John Kerry, John Murtha, "turbin" Durbin, et al.
How the heck can this one incident tarnish the reputation of the troops. 5 soldiers out of 150,000 soldiers? I'm surprised there hasn't been more incidents like this, it has to be madness over there.
So are we ever going to see a trial with evidence if they get all these guys to plead guilty?
That sounds suspicious. Just keep pressuring them till they all 'confess' then no need for evidence and witnesses?
Its amazing what people will plead guilty to if you keep them in solitary long enough.
"So are we ever going to see a trial with evidence if they get all these guys to plead guilty?
That sounds suspicious. Just keep pressuring them till they all 'confess' then no need for evidence and witnesses?"
Four have plead guilty and as of now, four others will be going to trial. We will see and hear the evidence in the trial of whoever doesn't cop a pre-trial plea.
Usually JAG presents its evidence to defendants' attorneys in order to obtain pleas to lesser charges. That was the case with this Marine. He obviously plead guilty to aggrevated assault to avoid going to trial on a homicide charge.
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