Jail term disappoints murdered Iraqi girl's family (wanted death penalty)

[Barrett808]

Source: Reuters

KERBALA, Iraq Aug 5 (Reuters) - The family of a teenage Iraqi girl gang raped and murdered by U.S. troops said on Sunday they were disappointed that a soldier sentenced to 110 years in jail for the crime did not receive the death penalty.

Private Jesse Spielman was found guilty of four counts of murder, rape, conspiracy to commit rape, and housebreaking with the intent to commit rape by a U.S. military court in Kentucky on Saturday over the March 2006 attack.

Abeer Qassim al-Janabiat, her parents and younger sister were shot dead in Mahmudiya, south of Baghdad. The crime outraged Iraqis and significantly increased tensions with U.S. forces in Iraq.

"We were expecting the death penalty against those criminals and the place to carry out the sentence is where the incident happened," Janabiat's cousin, Abu Ammar, told Reuters.

Read more: http://wap.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/KAM547982.htm

[Miss Chybil]

1. I don't see how they could feel any differently than they do. nt

[rodeodance]

4. I think there is enough killing going on.

[Miss Chybil]

6. And...

Did I say I "think" more people should be killed? No. I was being empathetic with the family who suffered such a tragedy. I "think" it's to be expected they would feel the way they do. Don't you?

[sanskritwarrior]

7. Do you feel the same way when American families want the same punishment?

[Miss Chybil]

9. See #6. nt

[bluestateguy]

2. I too feel that he should be executed

In ten or so years I fear that he will be quietly paroled when no one is paying attention, and then we'll see him on Fox News as a military analyst.

[WatchWhatISay]

3. Just wait until Bush pardons them on his way out

and their sentence is effectively a year or so in prison.

[ContraBass Black]

5. Unless they're closely related to Bush's family or friends, that's unlikely.

There's no benefit to pardoning them for Bush.

[Wiccan Warrior]

11. you're right there.......

You just wait when it comes time to hand out more pardons everyone that gets put in Prison/Jail that Congress puts in there or anyone else for that matter will get pardoned from GW. So what's the point really for Congress to put government officials in Jail they are just going to get out anyway right?

[MrSlayer]

8. I thought he should be executed as well.

I can well understand their disappointment.

[UKProPeace]

10. I've always thought the Iraqis should deal with crimes committed

in their country....After all, our leaders have always clamed they want the Iraqis "liberated". Well, liberate them to be in charge of serving justice out to the scumbags who are committing horrific acts like this in their country against their people.

[Marrah_G]

12. You can't subject American soldiers to their laws and their punishment

Yes they should be punished for their crimes, but by an American court. Before you jump on me please think rationally first. We do not have the same laws. Things that are the norm for us are illegal by their standards. Would you have our soldiers arrested there for "social/moral" crimes also? That is a slippery slope we cannot ever go down.

[UKProPeace]

13. Hi Marrah I can understand what you are saying

I think though for matters such as war crimes committed on another nations soil though, that surely that nation should have authority?

[Marrah_G]

14. Not if the country of the soldiers is willing and able to handle it.

You have to realize that especially in a country embroiled in a vicious civil war the chances of any sort of fair trial would be almost non-existant.

[LeftishBrit]

15. I understand the family's feelings, but don't believe in the death penalty

I don't think he should be let out to do it again, either, however. If he's been sentenced to 110 years, how on earth does that mean he can get out in ten? Maybe I don't understand American sentencing guidelines.