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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| US soldier admits Iraq girl rape | US soldier admits Iraq girl rape |
| (about 6 hours 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. |
| 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 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. |
| Specialist Barker is one of four US soldiers charged with murder. | Specialist Barker is one of four US soldiers charged with murder. |
| 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. | 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. | 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. |
| Separate trial | Separate trial |
| Specialist Barker had agreed to co-operate with prosecutors and will testify against the others, his civilian lawyer, David Sheldon, said. | Specialist Barker had agreed to co-operate with prosecutors and will testify against the others, his civilian lawyer, David Sheldon, said. |
| 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. | 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. |
| In addition, former soldier Steven Green has been charged in a civilian court and is awaiting trial in a Kentucky jail. | 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 charges of murder and sexual assault. | |