First Sniper Aquitted of Murder. Second Testifies To Forced Murder of Captured Iraqi.

RE: an earlier post here about Snipers being ordered to set traps for 'insurgents' "US Military Snipers Set Bait For Iraqis and Killed Those Who Approached"

The first of the snipers ordered to kill under such conditions has been acquitted of murder though he was convicted of charges related to planting evidence which prosecutors say should also count for "obstruction of justice".

A military panel today acquitted U.S. Army Spc. Jorge G. Sandoval of murder charges in the deaths of two Iraqis but convicted him of planting detonation wire on one of the bodies to make it appear the man was an insurgent.

Sandoval, 22, of Laredo, Texas, was the first of three soldiers from the same sniper team to be court-martialed in three separate shootings that took place last spring.

...

Their cases have called attention to a "baiting program," in which snipers were allegedly ordered to plant fake weapons and bomb-making materials, then kill anyone who picked them up. The Pentagon will not speak publicly about the tactics it uses to protect soldiers from insurgents but it insists military practices are within the law.

Sandoval faced two counts of murder, two counts of poor conduct and one count of dereliction of duty in two killings, on April 27 and May 11. His colleagues testified during the three-day court-martial that they were following orders when they shot the two unidentified Iraqi men.

Sentencing is expected Saturday. Defense lawyers argued that Sandoval should face no more than six months in prison for misplacement of public property, but prosecutors said he should receive five years for obstructing justice.

  Read rest at source, including the tearful testimony of one sniper ordered by a superior to shoot a captured Iraqi who happened to walk too close to the snipers' hiding place as described by article referenced in .Common Sense post "US Military Snipers Set Bait For Iraqis and Killed Those Who Approached".

 Here's an LA Times link on the soldier's unhappy account "LAT: Soldier describes killing unarmed Iraqi".  

On May 11, Vela's sniper team had detained an Iraqi man near Jarf Sakhr, Vela testified. Staff Sgt. Michael A. Hensley undid the ropes that had pinned the prisoner's arms and asked Vela whether he was ready, he said.

The dark-haired Idaho native told the court he wasn't sure what his superior meant at the time. Vela said Hensley cradled the Iraqi's head, straightened his headdress, then moved away from Vela, who gripped a 9-millimeter pistol.

"I heard the word 'shoot.' I don't remember pulling the trigger. I just came to and the guy was dead. It took me a second to realize the shot came from the pistol in my hand," Vela said. 

I suggest tar and feathers.  (Not aimed at that soldier or anyone involved with that trial.)

Can't say what I'd like to do with the products, but maybe you can figure it out.

Also we'd need a nice rail. Anyone know where to get one or two?  

tags: iraq  war  military snipers  atrocities  

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