Soldier Gets 100 Years for Raping Iraqi Teen, Killing her Family

Comments on article "Soldier Gets 100 Years for Raping Iraqi Teen, Killing her Family"
Name Views and CommentsDate
Christina The family said these were "tragic events".
So a soldier being the THIRD in line to rape a 14 year old and then shooting her in the face is "tragic"?
His family says he now has "the semblance of a life". This Iraqi family would have liked that too.
DISGUSTING.		 5/22/2009
mandrade this is no justice for the iraqi family. my question is why are the even been tried by the us military? they should be released to the iraqi govenrment and tried under iraqi law. the crime was commited out side the us base and the US dont have jurisdition over the case. as a former Sm, i am deeply shamed by the way this has all been handled. 8/6/2008
sunny i am as mom think the sentence was they got was to low if they would do something like that here at home they would get the death sentence why not now. i have friends what was in iraq and they all say the same they should get the hardest sentence they can get.because now we are sending the wrong message because it will look like we as americans think it is ok what they did an hey atleast i think that is not ok ,they are humans like us and that girl never did something to us.the best would be give these guys to all the moms in the us. 8/4/2007
ab I'm not sure the jail time is adequate. These individuals and others who empathize with them are either stupid or basically inhumane. They do not represent the good people of this country and deserve the harshest treatment permittable by our society. 2/24/2007
Giovanna It is hard for me as an American to read about what these young men did. I understand about stress and such, but under no circumstances can that be an excuse for this horrible crime. It makes me ashamed that we, the people, can be capable of horrible things. These young men not only stole the innocence from this young girl but took her life in payment for their wrong doing. We as Americans need to understand that we are not above the law here or overseas. My prayers goes out to the Iraqi people and this young girl's family. I ask their forgiveness. (I am a veteran of USMC) 2/23/2007
angela This bazar he should not of killed that family. That was so stupid. 2/23/2007
ALS "During the hearing, psychologist Charles Figley testified that the soldiers’ actions were probably fueled by the stress and trauma brought on by the war and fatigue of fighting. "It eats you up," Figley said. "It’s a horrible thing. This is not unique. We’ve seen this in other wars.""
Try saying that to an American family with a 14 yr old daughter raped and slaughtered.. It is not unique in people who have no faith or respect..

"Five soldiers who served with Cortez also testified for the defense, speaking about the stresses they all endured while serving in Iraq. They described the hardships they all lived with, including the lack of running water, sleep deprivation, and constant fear of being ambushed. They also spoke about how shocked they were to learn of the charges against Cortez and the other soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division. "I just never would have seen it coming," said Staff Sgt. Tim Briggs, who has known Cortez for over five years."
If it was to justice and "an eye for an eye" as the other soldiers say due to other soldiers dying in battle, then the soldier must have got the death penalty as he took innocent lives for what! Could he be a terrorist killing innocents?

It's a shame ..		 2/23/2007
Melanie I am really saddened and shocked by this terrible crime. This crime affects all of us,especially our other young men and women who are in Iraq giving up so much for us. It just gives those in Iraq and around the world who are against the U.S. ammunition against us. 2/23/2007
AZ These men made choices. They weren't overcome by the unbearable in a moment of war - they sat in their post and planned what they would do and how they would cover it up. Stress and liquor might have contributed, but they certainly knew they were committing a crime, and I would guess they thought they'd get away with it. War may make some lines blurry, but they all knew where the line was that night when they left their uniforms behind. For the honor of our country and the other soldiers who suffer the stress and still do their duty and maintain their humanity, these men must be prosecuted.
2/23/2007
Realistic. yes. Justice is good. We all expect Justice to come from this. How about that family? You think they weren't stressed? Would it be okay if they'd raped and murdered the GIs? Would THAT be okay? No, it wouldn't be, so stop being stupid. American GIs are trained, and willfully participate. Stress is real, but so are their actions. They are accountable. 2/23/2007
literate "It east you up," Figley said.

fix this.		 2/23/2007
JohnQpublic I think all those Americans should be set free. They were in a war! Watching friends getting injured and killed...stressed out from every angle...Yet somehow people expect good actions to come from this?!! 2/23/2007
kingsley Soldiers all over the world know the difference between their enemies and innocent civillians. I will grieve for that family all my life. What a horrible thing to do. Who in this world is not stressed up. That is no excuse. Life sentene for the soldiers is not enough. Kingsley, Nigeria. 2/23/2007
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