110-year sentence in Iraq rape-killing

[HOMELESS CAMEL]

FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. - A soldier convicted of rape and murder in an attack on an Iraqi teenager and her family was sentenced Saturday to 110 years in prison.

 

The sentence was part of a plea agreement attorneys for Pfc. Jesse Spielman had made with prosecutors that set the number of years he could serve in prison, regardless of the jury's recommendation.

 

The jury had recommended life with parole, a sentence under which he would have to wait longer for the possibility of parole. He will be eligible for parole after 10 years.

 

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070804/ap_on_re_us/army_rape_slaying

[cshs81]

I find it impossible to think of a reason this guy would be paroled. Ever.

[sportsfan41]

Yea, serving 10 years of a 110 year sentence just doesn't seem right.

[Bandit29]

Why did he get the longest sentence for being a lookout?

[75center]

Why did he get the longest sentence for being a lookout?

 

I wondered that also, although it sounds like he went to trial and the others pled out before trial?

[Booge]

I find it impossible to think of a reason this guy would be paroled. Ever.

 

Because crazy things happen in the heat of war with young people when these people are killing your buddies on a daily basis. And yes, the act is the utmost in despicable. But do you have anything approaching a clue about walking in those guys' shoes? He should be in jail for a very long time, which he will be.

[cshs81]

Because crazy things happen in the heat of war with young people when these people are killing your buddies on a daily basis. And yes, the act is the utmost in despicable. But do you have anything approaching a clue about walking in those guys' shoes? He should be in jail for a very long time, which he will be.

 

No excuse for what they did. Period.

[True blue (and gold)]

No excuse for what they did. Period.

 

Exactly. Anyone that thinks otherwise dishonors our soldiers that do their job.

[Fastbreak]

There is no excuse for the action of these servicemen. They need to have the keys tossed away for 110 years if that's what it takes.

 

 

 

What amazes me is that for every 100,000 troops we send over there, we only hear about a handful of these losers. This proportion is way below averages for our civilian population. This tells me we have some outstanding men and women in our uniform representing us in a miserable place. God bless the many, many good men and women representing America in a very difficult situation, and shame on the few weasels.

[cshs81]

There is no excuse for the action of these servicemen. They need to have the keys tossed away for 110 years if that's what it takes.

 

 

 

What amazes me is that for every 100,000 troops we send over there, we only hear about a handful of these losers. This proportion is way below averages for our civilian population. This tells me we have some outstanding men and women in our uniform representing us in a miserable place. God bless the many, many good men and women representing America in a very difficult situation, and shame on the few weasels.

 

Agreed. If these outlandish acts were common THEN we might look at the guilty with a different eye. Since its such an aberration, they rot in jail.

[HHSDad]

Did any of you even read the article?

[Fastbreak]

Did any of you even read the article?

Twice... what am I missing Dad?

[HHSDad]

Twice... what am I missing Dad?

Several of the sodiers who pleaded guilty said that all he did was stand guard. So why does he get 110 years? I know he was obeying an unlawful order and he was involved, but there has been a rush to prosecute soldiers over and over again.

[Fastbreak]

Excellent points, and I agree to a point Sir.

 

The problem with this one, at least in my mind is the particular heinousness of the crime. I agree that the actual perps should do more time than the lookout, but it's hard for me to excuse anyone involved in a rape, murder and immolation to cover the tracks.

 

It's the (very rare) events like this one that give our many, many noble servicemen a blackeye they don't deserve.

[Uncle Jed]

Several of the sodiers who pleaded guilty said that all he did was stand guard. So why does he get 110 years? I know he was obeying an unlawful order and he was involved, but there has been a rush to prosecute soldiers over and over again.

 

Would you stand around and watch and hear a 14 year old girl get raped and murdered along with her family being murdered? Would you help cover it up and lie about it afterwords? If he wasn't part of the rape he was part of the cover up. He plead guilty to obstructing justice, wrongfully touching a corpse?, arson, and drinking. He is criminal.

I'm sure he had a chance to plead guilty for lesser time, but he obviously chose to take it to a jury.

Believe me I understand the preasure a soldier goes through during war, and I am sympathetic to that preasure. I also know the pain a child goes through by being a victim of a horrific crime. Rape and murder are rape and murder. He gambled twice and lost. I just pray that he repents for his sins.