TORONTO - A former U.S. Marine in Iraq (news - web sites), testifying Wednesday at a hearing for an American military deserter seeking asylum in Canada, said several men in his unit were "psychopaths" who enjoyed killing unarmed Iraqi civilians who posed no threat.
Massey, 33, of Waynesville, N.C., said his 7th Marines weapons company killed more than 30 civilians during a 48-hour period in April while stationed at a checkpoint in the southern Baghdad district of Rashid. The victims included unarmed demonstrators and a man who drove up in a car and raised his hands above his head in the universal symbol of surrender.
"I know in my heart that these vehicles that came up, that they were civilians," he said. "But I had to act on my orders. It's a struggle within my heart."
The orders, he said, were to shoot at anyone who drove into what is known as the "red zone" surrounding the checkpoint because they could be suicide bombers.
Massey told the tribunal he got caught up in the frenzy and shot at civilians as well.
"I take full responsibility for my actions," he said. "We deliberately gunned down people who were civilians. I became so concerned because I felt that Marines were honestly enjoying it. I saw plenty of Marines become psychopaths. They enjoyed the killing."
The Marine Corps denied Massey's allegations.
"We're not saying he's lying, but his perception of what the situation was in relation to the rules of engagement, and what was justified, is different than ours," said Maj. Douglas Powell, a spokesman for the Marine Corps at the Pentagon (news - web sites). "It was investigated and any acts of wrongdoing, in regards to violations of the laws of war, the laws of armed conflict, were unsubstantiated."
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20041209/ap_on_re_ca/canada_war_resister_1
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