110 Years for Rape/Murder in Iraq

Last year, several soldiers were charged with the rape and murder of a 14-year-old Iraqi girl and the slaughter of her family. Friday, Pfc. Jesse Spielman, who was the only soldier to contest his charges*, was convicted of rape, conspiracy to commit rape, housebreaking with intent to rape, and four counts of felony murder and was sentenced to 110 years in prison, which includes time for the lesser charges of conspiracy to obstructing justice, arson, wrongfully touching a corpse, and drinking, to which he had already pleaded guilty. He'll be eligible for parole after 10.

The military alleged that Spielman, who did not actively take part in the rape/murders, "went to the house knowing what the others intended to do and served as a lookout." Spielman claims he "went to the house unaware of any plan," which contradicts the sworn statement of another participant, Spc. James Barker, who testified another participant "said he wanted to go to a house and kill some Iraqis." Additionally, Sgt. Paul E. Cortez testified that he said Spielman were "within a few feet of the others as they held down the screaming girl and did nothing to stop them."

Charming.

Spielman's sister, Paige Gerlach, screamed: "I hate the government. You people put him (in Iraq) and now, this happened."

I don't guess she meant "and now an entire family is dead for no reason," though.

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* Three other soldiers (Barker, Cortez, and Pfc. Bryan L. Howard) pleaded guilty and received sentences ranging from five to 100 years. Another man, Steven Green, was discharged from the Army before being charged. He has pleaded not guilty to charges that include murder and sexual assault and will be tried in federal court, where he faces a possible death sentence.