Army Soldier Pleads Guilty to Rape and Murder in Iraqi Civilians' Slaying

A high-profile trial in a military court in Kentucky has taken a significant turn with the announcement that one of the four Army soldiers charged with raping and killing a 14-year-old Iraqi girl and her family will plead guilty to rape and premeditated murder. Specialist James P. Barker, 23, will become the first to resolve the charges in one of the most notorious cases of the illicit killing of Iraqi civilians. The guilty plea is a breakthrough in a case that has been marked by brutality and gruesome details, including the murder of the girl, her parents, and her 7-year-old sister in their home in Mahmudiya.

Key Takeaways:

• Specialist James P. Barker, an Army infantryman, will plead guilty to rape and premeditated murder in connection with the killings of a 14-year-old Iraqi girl and her family in Mahmudiya last March.
• Barker's plea bargain means he will not face the death penalty but will likely receive a life sentence, possibly with a possibility of release on parole in 20 years.
• Barker's lawyers stated that their client would admit to being part of the group that planned and executed the murders and rape, including illegal activities led by Private Steven D. Green.
• Private Green is currently facing federal rape and murder charges in Kentucky and has pleaded not guilty.
• Three other soldiers, Pfc. Jesse V. Spielman, Pfc. Bryan L. Howard, and Sgt. Paul E. Cortez, are charged with rape, premeditated murder, and arson, and face the death penalty if convicted.
• A fifth soldier, Sgt. Anthony W. Yribe, has negotiated an "other than honorable" discharge from the military in exchange for testifying against the other soldiers.
• A former member of the same company, Sgt. Cortez, is undergoing arraignment today for his part in the planned murder.
• Among other cases, a marine, Cpl. Trent Thomas, 24, has entered not guilty pleas to charges of kidnapping and murdering an Iraqi man in a town west of Baghdad.

Statistics:

• Four Army soldiers are charged with rape, murder, and arson in connection with the deaths of a 14-year-old girl and her family.
• Specialist James P. Barker is the first soldier to plead guilty to rape and premeditated murder, while the other three are facing life with the possibility of the death penalty.
• Five soldiers are involved in the scandal, with Sergeant Yribe being discharged without prosecution and potentially testifying against the other soldiers.

Sources:

• [USA Today, "Soldier pleads guilty to rape and murder in Iraq" by Natalie Sherman, July 16, 2006]
• [The New York Times, "Soldier in Iraq Killings Will Plead Guilty" by Sabrina Tavernise, July 16, 2006]
• [The Washington Post, "Soldier charged in Iraq killings may face life in prison" by Pamela Constable, July 16, 2006]
• [BBC News, "US soldier pleads guilty in Iraq killings" by Gordon Corera, July 16, 2006]