Iraq killing case at a glance (Hamdania)

[ProSense]

Iraq killing case at a glance

By The Associated Press 1 hour, 28 minutes ago

Seven Marines and a Navy corpsman in Kilo Company, 3rd Battalion, 5th Regiment of the 1st Marine Division were detained in May, accused of kidnapping and killing an Iraqi man in the rural town of Hamdania. This is a look at each of their cases:

• Navy corpsman Petty Officer 3rd Class Melson J. Bacos of Franklin, Wis., pleaded guilty to kidnapping, and conspiracy to kidnap and to make false official statements. He was sentenced to 10 years confinement, reduction in rank, forfeiture of all pay and allowances, and dishonorable discharge, but under a plea deal will serve 12 months in prison. Murder, kidnapping and other charges were dismissed.

• Pfc. John J. Jodka III, of Encinitas, Calif., pleaded guilty to aggravated assault and conspiracy to obstruct justice. He was sentenced to five years confinement, reduction in rank, forfeiture of all pay and allowances, and dishonorable discharge. A plea deal limits his sentence to 18 months. Murder, kidnapping and other charges were dismissed.

• Lance Cpl. Tyler A. Jackson, of Tracy, Calif., pleaded guilty to aggravated assault and conspiracy to obstruct justice. He was sentenced to nine years confinement, reduction in rank, forfeiture of all pay and allowances, and dishonorable discharge. The plea deal limits his sentence to 21 months confinement. Murder, kidnapping and other charges were dismissed.

• Lance Cpl. Jerry E. Shumate Jr., of Matlock, Wash., was scheduled to plead guilty Nov. 21 to aggravated assault and conspiracy to obstruct justice. Murder, kidnapping and other charges are expected to be dismissed.

• Lance Cpl. Robert B. Pennington, of Mukilteo, Wash., was scheduled to be arraigned Nov. 20 on charges of murder, conspiracy, housebreaking, larceny and kidnapping. No trial date set.

• Cpl. Trent D. Thomas, of Madison, Ill., pleaded not guilty to charges of kidnap, murder, conspiracy, making a false official statement, larceny and housebreaking. A trial was set for March.

• Cpl. Marshall L. Magincalda, of Manteca, Calif., pleaded not guilty to charges of murder, kidnapping, conspiracy, housebreaking, larceny and making a false official statement. A trial was set for February.

• Sgt. Lawrence G. Hutchins III, of Plymouth, Mass., faces trial on charges of murder, conspiracy, assault, housebreaking, larceny, kidnapping, obstruction of justice and three specifications of making false official statements. He also is charged with assault in a separate incident involving different Iraqi citizens. He has not been arraigned and no trial was set.