Ex-soldier spared death penalty for Iraq murders

World May. 22, 2009 - 04:54AM JST ( 5 )

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SezWho2May. 22, 2009 - 08:28AM JST

He had stress. Nothing, no doubt, compared to the stress of the family whose country had been invaded, whose lives had been disrupted, who lived in fear of harm and who he killed before raping and killing their daughter and then burning down their house--but he had stress.

I'm not in favor of the civilian death penalty. However, military justice should have taken care of this in the first place. If any people ever "deserve" civilian capital punishment, Green is among them. But we don't do this to our heroes.
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likeitisMay. 22, 2009 - 10:35AM JST

SezWho2: If any people ever "deserve" civilian capital punishment, Green is among them.

Of people I would spare the death penalty, and that is everybody, this guy is definitely one of the last. So what gives? It would seem that Iraqi life is just not as valuable. I am glad to see life in prison meted out, but the reasoning behind it SUCKS.

“It’s the better of two bad choices,” said John Green, also of Midland, Texas.

It is amazing that members of his family are supporting him in any way, shape or form. I expect more from my own. If he were a relative of mine, I would waste no time in denouncing him. If he were a relative and in my presence, my anti-death stance would likely fly out the window with my rage. You might have to restrain me, lest I took him out myself.
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timorborderMay. 22, 2009 - 10:38AM JST

This is not a good decision. It seems to portray a sense of double standards. People in the US quite rightly bey for the blood of Iraqis involved in the killing of US citizens, whether those citizens are service members or others. On the other hand, they are willing to forego the death penalty is cases of their serviceman run amok. This is not how to win friends and influence people.

Furthermore, "stress" might be a factor but it is also a cop out. Indeed, the murders aside, this guy and his colleagues should have been condemned to death on the rape charge alone.

The fact that the enemy (not innocent civilians) killed two command sergeants, a lieutenant and a specialist, etc. is irrelevant. It's the army son! Shxt happens. Watching your mates get blown away is no fun (I have experienced it). Indeed, watching your mates bleed out is even worse. However, it does not excuse murder and rape.

Quick question, multiple murders and rapes occur in a similar case in the US, how would a jury find in a similar case? Something at the back of my mind makes me believe that a case involving American victims would result in a much stiffer punishment.
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adaydreamMay. 22, 2009 - 01:02PM JST

I agree with some of your post timorborder. He got off pretty easy. He'll be out and back into society before his comrads are ever free. < :-)
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skipthesongMay. 22, 2009 - 06:28PM JST

He got off pretty easy. He'll be out and back into society before his comrads are ever free"

That is the American justice system for ya! Far too many walk out "some day". No, for the killing and the rape, he should have been fried! Anyone who does that to anyone should be fried.