US Soldier sentenced to 100 years

[ls317]

http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/02/22/ussoldier.rape.ap/index.html


FORT CAMPBELL, Kentucky (AP) -- A U.S. soldier was sentenced to 100 years in prison Thursday for the gang rape and murder of an Iraqi girl and the killing of her family last year.

Sgt. Paul E. Cortez, 24, also was given a dishonorable discharge. He will be eligible for parole in 10 years under the terms of his plea agreement.

Cortez, of Barstow, California, pleaded guilty this week to four counts of felony murder, rape and conspiracy to rape in a case considered among the worst atrocities by U.S. military personnel in Iraq.

In his plea agreement, he said he conspired with three other soldiers from the Fort Campbell-based 101st Airborne Division to rape 14-year-old Abeer Qassim al-Janabi. The girl, her parents and a younger sister were all killed.

Earlier Thursday, tears rolled down Cortez's face as he apologized for the rape and murders. He said he could not explain why he took part.

"I still don't have an answer," Cortez told the judge. "I don't know why. I wish I hadn't. The lives of four innocent people were taken. I want to apologize for all of the pain and suffering I have caused the al-Janabi family."


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[wtmusic]

1. Eligible for parole in 10?

Bah. Now what am I thinking if I'm an Iraqi related to that girl? :grr:

[catgirl]

2. "soldiers likely suffered stress brought on by fatigue and trauma"..psychologist

Give me a break. I've "suffered" plenty of fatigue and "trauma" in
my life and I didn't go out and torture and murder people. This
act was premeditated and they give him a plea deal? In ten years
this cold killer will be eligible for parole. That's some justice. And
where did they dig up this psychologist? He basically excuses them
saying "it eats you up. It's a horrible thing. This is not unique. We've
seen this in other wars." He's referring to the soldiers, not the murdered
family. Yes, we've seen war crimes in every war. Criminals partake in
every war. These guys are criminals and should be put away for life-
with no parole.

[Catfight]

3. I concur, the animal was an animal before the war even started.

What a sick MF. He's a waste.