Good point, BHfred. From Newsday,
Soldier's murder acquittal spurs lesser conviction,
..."
Spc. Alexander Flores, who was in the same squad as Sandoval on the day of the April killing, testified their platoon leader said one man was "our guy" and ordered them to "move in," which they interpreted as "take the target out."
The suspect, who wore dark clothing and used a sickle to cut grass in a field, matched the general description Iraqi soldiers had given the Americans of one of two insurgents they had faced earlier in the day, according to testimony.
After the killing, Flores said Staff Sgt. Michael Hensley told him to place the detonation wire on the body and in the man's pocket, which he said he did. But prosecutors cited an interview with Sandoval immediately after his arrest in which he said he planted the wire. Outside court, Flores stood by his testimony. ..."
Sandoval admitted he planted the wire during an interview after his arrest, but Flores testified in court that he planted the wire. Sandoval gets the time. I see why you're confused, BHFred.
I have a problem with the whole thing. Why any punishment? It had already been determined that the “innocent civilian” was leaving the scene of an attack against American forces. The fact that there was no murder should end the case right there. It’s reaching the point of “well we gotta convict him of something” when he is jailed for planting the detention cord on a dead insurgent. This is not justice - it’s a travesty and we can thank Murtha, the weak spined brass, the media and the entire anti-war, anti-American crowd for this crap.
It’s bad enough our military has to fight insurgents. Now they’re having to fight the justice system and public opinion. What a crock!