US soldier's court-martial in death of Iraqi goes to jury
A nine-member jury began deciding whether an Army platoon sergeant deliberately shot and killed an unarmed Iraqi man or whether he truly believed the man posed a threat during a dangerous raid on an insurgent hideout in a southern village near Kir...
By Agencies |
HAWAII: A nine-member jury began deciding whether an Army platoon sergeant deliberately shot and killed an unarmed Iraqi man or whether he truly believed the man posed a threat during a dangerous raid on an insurgent hideout in a southern village near Kirkuk.
At least six members of the panel must find Sgt 1st Trey Corrales guilty for him to be convicted on the charge of premeditated murder, which carries a minimum sentence of life in prison.
He is also charged with wrongfully ordering another soldier to shoot the man and planting an AK-47 at the scene to create the impression the victim was holding a weapon.
Corrales, 35, admitted to shooting the man when his platoon busted into a house last year in the village of Al Saheed. The platoon was looking for insurgents they suspected of firing at US helicopters and planting roadside bombs.
But Corrales argued that the killing fell within the rules of engagement governing the use of deadly force. He pleaded not guilty to all three charges.
An Army report said the victim's name was Salih Khatab Aswad, but no one came forward to identify his body and the US military was unable to confirm his identity. An autopsy determined he died of gunshot wounds.
Prosecutors said Corrales planned the killing from the time he received a phone call the night of June 22 ordering his platoon to go after the insurgents. They said he ordered his platoon to kill all military-age males in the target house.
At least six members of the panel must find Sgt 1st Trey Corrales guilty for him to be convicted on the charge of premeditated murder, which carries a minimum sentence of life in prison.
He is also charged with wrongfully ordering another soldier to shoot the man and planting an AK-47 at the scene to create the impression the victim was holding a weapon.
Corrales, 35, admitted to shooting the man when his platoon busted into a house last year in the village of Al Saheed. The platoon was looking for insurgents they suspected of firing at US helicopters and planting roadside bombs.
But Corrales argued that the killing fell within the rules of engagement governing the use of deadly force. He pleaded not guilty to all three charges.
An Army report said the victim's name was Salih Khatab Aswad, but no one came forward to identify his body and the US military was unable to confirm his identity. An autopsy determined he died of gunshot wounds.
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Prosecutors said Corrales planned the killing from the time he received a phone call the night of June 22 ordering his platoon to go after the insurgents. They said he ordered his platoon to kill all military-age males in the target house.
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