US army captain claims killing of Iraqi was act of mercy

An Iraqi boy holds a picture of his slain father, Karim Abed Ali, at his family home in Baghdad. US army captain Rogelio Maynulet -- charged with murdering Abed Ali -- claimed he shot dead the Iraqi as an act of mercy.(AFP/File/Ahmad Al-Rubaye)

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/afp/20040908/wl_mideast_afp/iraq_us_military_justice&cid=1514&ncid=1480

HANAU, Germany (AFP) - A US army captain charged with murdering an Iraqi follower of a radical Shiite Muslim cleric has claimed that he shot dead the man as an act of mercy, a military hearing was told.

Captain Rogelio Maynulet, 29, is charged with murdering the man on May 21 in an incident during which US troops fired at a civilian vehicle they believed had militia men aboard near the central Iraqi town of Kufa. He faces a possible court martial and life in prison if convicted.

Under US troop rules of engagement in Iraq (news - web sites), shooting at suspect cars is allowed under certain circumstances. Two men were in the vehicle. The passenger died instantly and the driver was badly injured. A witness, 1st Lieutenant Colin Cremin, confirmed that Maynulet and his men told him that the driver "had half his brain hanging out, there was nothing more that could be done for him."

How could he ever live a fulfilling life with that obvious brain damage?

Lying sadistic sack of shit.

And, for any lurking freepers, yes, I am prior military: ARE YOU?

Chickenshit fucksticks.

You killed my father.
Prepare to die.

:-)

This isn't a case for raw ideology or armchair opinions. There are situations where a mercy killing is the most civilized thing a person can do...if a person is clearly beyond medical aid, on the verge of death, and is suffering immensely, then ending their pain can be the kindest gift you can give them.

There are just too many unknowns to judge this one. Was there medical aid nearby? Did they try to contact any paramedics? How did they ascertain the mans medical status? Was he really about to die anyway? We don't have the answers to any of these questions, and shouldn't be pardoning or condemning him until we do.

What's next...Killing for ideology? Nobody and I mean nobody decides if a person should er die!