Hearing set in rape-slaying of Iraq girl

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/world/4096745.html

BAGHDAD, Iraq — The stress of military duty in Iraq is expected to be at the core of defense arguments when a hearing opens Sunday to determine whether five American soldiers should be tried in the rape-slaying of a 14-year-old girl.

Three of the girl's relatives also were killed in the town of Mahmoudiya on March 12, which is among the worst incidents in a series of cases alleging U.S. troops killed or abused Iraqi civilians.

The soldiers in the Mahmoudiya case _ Sgt. Paul E. Cortez, Spc. James P. Barker, Pfc. Jesse V. Spielman and Pfc. Bryan L. Howard _ are charged with conspiring to rape the girl along with former Pfc. Steven D. Green, who was arrested in North Carolina in June.

A fifth soldier from the same unit, Sgt. Anthony W. Yribe, is charged with failing to report the attack but is not alleged to have been a direct participant.

I know, I want it all. I am glad they are saying Abeer was a girl, be nice if they gave Hadeel's age also, or at least that she was the little sister.

"stress of war" is no excuse.

Some soldiers in combat do suffer mental degradation over a period of time. I don't know if that's what happened with this guy or not, but I'm not willing to say it's not either.

Sounds like he had longer term problems also.