This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/6152118.stm

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
US soldier admits Iraq girl rape US soldier admits Iraq girl rape
(about 1 hour later)
A US Army soldier has pleaded guilty to raping a 14-year-old Iraqi girl and helping murder her and her family.A US Army soldier has pleaded guilty to raping a 14-year-old Iraqi girl and helping murder her and her family.
Spc James Barker agreed to the plea deal at the start of his court-martial in the US to avoid the death penalty, his civilian lawyer said. James Barker agreed to the plea deal at the start of his court-martial in the US to avoid the death penalty, his civilian lawyer said.
A criminal investigation began in June into the alleged killing of the family of four in their home in Mahmudiya, south of Baghdad, in March 2006. A criminal investigation began in June into the killing of the family of four in their home in Mahmudiya, south of Baghdad, in March 2006.
Spc Barker is one of four US soldiers charged with premeditated murder. Specialist Barker is one of four US soldiers charged with murder.
They are alleged to have helped a former private - who has since left the army - to plan, carry out and cover up the attack. Two of the soldiers could face the death penalty if found guilty. They are alleged to have helped a former private - who has since been discharged from the army - to plan, carry out and cover up the attack.
Two of the soldiers could face the death penalty if found guilty.
All four soldiers belong to the 2nd Brigade of the elite 101st Airborne Division.All four soldiers belong to the 2nd Brigade of the elite 101st Airborne Division.
Spc Barker agreed to co-operate with prosecutors and will testify against the others, his civilian lawyer David Sheldon said. Separate trial
The others charged with rape and murder were Pfc Jesse Spielman, Sgt Paul Cortez, and Pfc Bryan Howard. Specialist Barker had agreed to co-operate with prosecutors and will testify against the others, his civilian lawyer, David Sheldon, said.
In addition, former soldier Steven Green has been charged in a civilian court and is awaiting trial in a Kentucky jail. He pleaded not guilty in July. US troops have been accused of several abuses in IraqThe others charged with rape and murder were Pte Jesse Spielman, Sgt Paul Cortez, and Pte Bryan Howard.
Earlier on Wednesday, Sgt Cortez was arraigned at the start of his court-martial. In addition, former soldier Steven Green has been charged in a civilian court and is awaiting trial in a Kentucky jail.
He was discharged from the army for a personality disorder earlier this year, and in July pleaded not guilty to charged of murder and sexual assault.
Later on Wednesday, a military court in California is due to hand down a sentence to a private who admitted to involvement in the death of an Iraqi civilian near the town of Hamdaniya last April.