A U.S. soldier has been convicted of raping a 14-year old Iraqi girl and killing her and her family. He now faces a death penalty. His name is Steven Green of Midland, Texas. He was found to be guilty of murder, rape, conspiracy, and obstruction of justice, according to the court. The 23-year-old man had led a group of soldiers back in 2006 in the Mahmoudiya area, south of Baghdad. They killed the girl's father, mother, and younger sister before raping her and burning her bodfy. Three other soldiers were given sentences in prison ranging from 27 years to 100.
Spc. James Barker said that the soldiers were drinking whisky and playing cards when Green started the idea of going to the house near the checkpoint where they were stationed and raping a girl.
This kind of crime also happened last year. Formal Pfc. Jesse Spielman received a 110-year sentence in prison. He was guilty of felony murder, conspiracy to commite rape, and housebreaking with the intent to commit rape.
The Iraqi citizens are outraged. The demanded that American soldiers accused of crime against Iraqi civilians should be prosecuted in an Iraqi court. However, the U.S. military and civilian officials said otherwise, but vowed to bring justice to those guilty.
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These soldiers who were found guilty should be kept behind bars for the rest of their lives. Instead of fulfilling their duties as soldiers to fight to help bring peace to a foreigh country, they had done the opposite. This incident completely tainted the reputation of the U.S. military and bring out some provoking questions. Should U.S. soldiers just be left out there to do whatever they want? As shown above, a U.S. soldier could easily walk into a house and kill an entire family. Every crime has its consequence, and the soldier failed to think about them.
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