Jan. 25, 2007, 11:52AM
Soldier admits murdering Iraqi detainees
By BETH RUCKER Associated Press Writer
© 2007 The Associated Press
FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. — A 101st Airborne Division soldier pleaded guilty Thursday to murdering three detainees in Iraq last year, saying he went along with a plan to make it look like they were escaping.
Pfc. Corey R. Clagett, 21, was one of four soldiers from the division's 3rd Brigade "Rakkasans" who were accused in the detainees' deaths during a May 9 raid on the Muthana chemical complex in Samarra, about 60 miles north of Baghdad.
In an agreement with prosecutors, Clagett, of Moncks Corner, S.C., pleaded guilty to charges of murder, attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder and conspiracy to obstruct justice. Prosecutors dropped a second obstruction charge and charges of disrespecting an officer and threatening.
The military judge, Col. Theodore Dixon, accepted Clagett's plea and started the sentencing phase of the trial. Clagett faces life in prison, but should get a lighter sentence because of his plea.
The soldiers first told investigators they shot the detainees because they were attempting to flee — a story they now say they made up — and that commanders had given them orders to kill all military-age males on the mission.
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http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/nation/4498993.html