Posted on 07/20/2007 10:08:27 AM PDT by NormsRevenge
A military jury on Friday spared a Marine of prison time for kidnapping and conspiring to murder an Iraqi man who was killed as troops hunted in vain for a suspected insurgent.
Cpl. Trent Thomas was sentenced to a bad-conduct discharge and reduced pay.
A military jury of three officers and six enlisted Marines deliberated for less than an hour before returning their decision.
Thomas, a 25-year-old father of two, faced a maximum sentence of life in prison without parole. He was convicted Wednesday of kidnapping and conspiracy to murder an Iraqi man after a botched attempt to capture a suspected insurgent in the village of Hamdania in April 2006.
Thomas was acquitted of the most serious charge of premeditated murder, which would have carried a mandatory life sentence, and of lesser offenses including making a false official statement, housebreaking and larceny.
Prosecutors had recommended Thomas be sentenced to 15 years in prison with a dishonorable discharge, reduction in pay and forfeiture.
Baker should get hold of hit piece producer Broomfield. I hear he’s looking for a few good drama queens.
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