Soldier Jailed Over Iraq Murders
18 September 2008
An American soldier has been jailed and given a dishonourable discharge after pleading guilty to conspiracy to murder in the killing of four prisoners in Iraq.
Ramos told the court he stood guard as the four men were killed.
Specialist Belmor Ramos, 23, of the 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment, told a judge at his court martial that he stood guard as the men were killed.
He was sentenced to seven months' jail after working out a plea deal. He had been facing life in prison.
The victims were bound, blindfolded and shot in the head before being dumped in a Baghdad canal last year.
The four men, who were probably Sunnis, were allegedly killed in retribution for casualties in Ramos' unit.
He testified that he had agreed with the decision to kill the prisoners, and had stood watch from the machine-gun turret of his Humvee when the slayings were carried out by others.
He said he heard the shots but did not personally witness the killings.
His defence lawyer asked for his client to be formally reprimanded and remain in the Army at a reduced rank.
"I understand I should be punished, and will accept any punishment, but I humbly ask you, your honour, that you let me stay in the Army," Ramos said.
Three other soldiers in the unit have been charged with premeditated murder, conspiracy to commit premeditated murder and obstruction of justice.
They are Sergeant John E Hatley, Sergeant 1st Class Joseph P Mayo, and Sergeant Michael P Leahy Jr.
An American soldier has been jailed and given a dishonourable discharge after pleading guilty to conspiracy to murder in the killing of four prisoners in Iraq.
Ramos told the court he stood guard as the four men were killed. Specialist Belmor Ramos, 23, of the 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment, told a judge at his court martial that he stood guard as the men were killed.
He was sentenced to seven months' jail after working out a plea deal. He had been facing life in prison.
The victims were bound, blindfolded and shot in the head before being dumped in a Baghdad canal last year.
The four men, who were probably Sunnis, were allegedly killed in retribution for casualties in Ramos' unit.
He testified that he had agreed with the decision to kill the prisoners, and had stood watch from the machine-gun turret of his Humvee when the slayings were carried out by others.
He said he heard the shots but did not personally witness the killings.
His defence lawyer asked for his client to be formally reprimanded and remain in the Army at a reduced rank.
"I understand I should be punished, and will accept any punishment, but I humbly ask you, your honour, that you let me stay in the Army," Ramos said.
Three other soldiers in the unit have been charged with premeditated murder, conspiracy to commit premeditated murder and obstruction of justice.
They are Sergeant John E Hatley, Sergeant 1st Class Joseph P Mayo, and Sergeant Michael P Leahy Jr.
Labels: Crime, Iraq, Murder, United States
posted by HRM Deborah of Israel and the Messenger of Peace at 4:33 AM
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