Army sniper convicted of killing Iraqi civilian

Source: MSNBC/AP

BAGHDAD - A U.S. Army sniper accused of killing an unarmed Iraqi civilian and planting evidence on his body was found guilty on all charges Sunday.

Jurors deliberated for three hours before finding Sgt. Evan Vela guilty of murder without premeditation. He had previously been charged with premeditated murder, but that charge was changed during his court-martial this week in Baghdad.

The decision came a day after Vela wept as he recounted not being able to remember firing the gun that killed the Iraqi civilian, who had stumbled upon the hiding place where he and five other snipers were sleeping.

Vela was also found guilty of making a false official statement and of conduct prejudicial to good order and discipline.

He faces a possible sentence of life in prison. After the verdict, proceedings entered a sentencing phase Sunday afternoon.



Read more: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23086927/

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Good. Too many have gotten off.

This is the same case where they gave his superior immunity to testify against him, even though the superior had actually ordered the killing. I guess that's justice in Bushco's eyes. :sarcasm:

I wonder what the verdict might have been if Mr. Vela had been tried by the Iraqi civilian authority rather than his brothers and comrades in arms?

He could be sentenced to life in prison, but I'm going to guess that whatever his sentence, he will spend less than 10 years behind bars.

Source: Reuters



Read more: http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L10362246.htm

But he never should have been in that position in the first place. He is also another casualty of the Iraq war, even though he won't show up in the official tally. So many families ruined, both Iraqi and American. :(