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| Jury finds US soldier guilty of rape, murder | |
| 2007-08-05 | |
| FORT CAMPBELL, Kentucky -- A military jury has found a soldier guilty of rape and murder in the slayings of a 14-year-old Iraqi girl and her family. Jurors deliberated much of Friday evening before convicting Army Pfc. Jesse Spielman, 22, of conspiracy to commit rape, rape, housebreaking with intent to commit rape and four counts of felony murder. Spielman, was charged in connection with the March 12, 2006, slaying of the girl and the killings of her family. The attack took place in Mahmoudiya, a village about 20 miles (30 kilometers) south of Baghdad. Military prosecutors did not say Spielman took part in the rape or murders, but alleged he went to the house knowing what the others intended to do and served as a lookout. Spielman had pleaded guilty on Monday to lesser charges of conspiracy to obstructing justice, arson, wrongfully touching a corpse and drinking. The judge scheduled a sentencing hearing for Saturday morning. Spielman faces a mandatory life sentence. The jury will decide if he will be eligible for parole.
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| Posted by:Steve White |
| #1 Military prosecutors did not say Spielman took part in the rape or murders, but alleged he went to the house knowing what the others intended to do and served as a lookout...Spielman faces a mandatory life sentence. Correct me if I'm wrong, but unlike civie penal systems, there is no parole in the sense that one is let out to pursue a 'normal' life with restrictions. Pfc. Jesse Spielman, 22 Now E1 Spielman, will have a long time to contemplate on his actions. Gives new meaning to the term Lifer. |
| Posted by: Procopius2k 2007-08-05 08:10 |