US soldiers ’smiled’ during killings

Tikrit: US soldiers charged with murdering three detainees in Iraq smiled before carrying out the shootings, a military court heard on Wednesday.

Private First Class Corey Clagett, Specialist William Hunsaker, Staff Sergeant Raymond Girouard and Specialist Juston Graber also threatened to kill another soldier if he informed anyone.

Prosecution witness Private First Class Bradley Mason said Girouard told him if he was arrested he would try to get out of it on medical grounds because he had Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Mason, under cross examination, said the rules of engagement were “we get to kill all the male insurgents”, adding that the soldiers of 101st Airborne Division “just smiled” before the killings.

He added, “I told him (Girouard) that I am not down with it. It’s murder,” with Girouard responding “If you say anything, I’ll kill you.”

The soldiers, who were serving in Samarra, north of Baghdad, said the men were trying to escape during the shootings, which took place on or around May 9.

The defendants have been charged with premeditated murder, attempted murder, conspiracy, communicating a threat, and obstructing justice in the killings.

A premeditated murder conviction can bring the death penalty under US military law.

http://www.gulfnews.com/world/U.S.A/10056906.html