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US army sergeant jailed for life over Iraq killings US army sergeant jailed for life over Iraq killings
(4 days later)
A US army sergeant has been sentenced to life in prison without parole for the 2009 killings of five fellow service members at a combat stress clinic in Iraq.A US army sergeant has been sentenced to life in prison without parole for the 2009 killings of five fellow service members at a combat stress clinic in Iraq.
An army judge, Colonel David Conn, found Sergeant John Russell guilty of premeditated murder on Monday and imposed the sentence on Thursday. The only other possible penalty would have been life in prison with the possibility of release.An army judge, Colonel David Conn, found Sergeant John Russell guilty of premeditated murder on Monday and imposed the sentence on Thursday. The only other possible penalty would have been life in prison with the possibility of release.
Russell would be transferred to Fort Leavenworth in Kansas, army spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Gary Dangerfield said.Russell would be transferred to Fort Leavenworth in Kansas, army spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Gary Dangerfield said.
The 14-year veteran had previously pleaded guilty to unpremeditated murder in exchange for prosecutors removing the possibility of the death penalty. Under the agreement, prosecutors were allowed to try to prove to an army judge at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington state that the killings were premeditated. A streamlined court martial ended on Saturday.The 14-year veteran had previously pleaded guilty to unpremeditated murder in exchange for prosecutors removing the possibility of the death penalty. Under the agreement, prosecutors were allowed to try to prove to an army judge at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington state that the killings were premeditated. A streamlined court martial ended on Saturday.
The shooting was one of the worst instances of soldier-on-soldier violence in the Iraq war and raised questions about the mental health problems for soldiers caused by repeated tours of duty.The shooting was one of the worst instances of soldier-on-soldier violence in the Iraq war and raised questions about the mental health problems for soldiers caused by repeated tours of duty.
Russell's lawyers argued that he was deluded by depression and despair at the time. An army mental health board found Russell suffered from severe depression with psychotic features and post-combat stress.Russell's lawyers argued that he was deluded by depression and despair at the time. An army mental health board found Russell suffered from severe depression with psychotic features and post-combat stress.
Russell had long sought help with sleep troubles and was stammering and crying for help in the days before the shooting. His commanders were so alarmed that they disarmed him and sent him for repeated visits to mental health clinics, said attorney James Culp.Russell had long sought help with sleep troubles and was stammering and crying for help in the days before the shooting. His commanders were so alarmed that they disarmed him and sent him for repeated visits to mental health clinics, said attorney James Culp.
However, prosecutors argued that Russell was trying to portray himself as mentally ill in an attempt to win early retirement, just as he was facing a sexual harassment complaint that could have derailed his career and his benefits.However, prosecutors argued that Russell was trying to portray himself as mentally ill in an attempt to win early retirement, just as he was facing a sexual harassment complaint that could have derailed his career and his benefits.
The day before the killings, psychiatrist Michael Jones told him that a mental disability retirement would require "some kind of suicidal psychotic crisis", Major Daniel Mazzone said during closing arguments, according to the Los Angeles Times.The day before the killings, psychiatrist Michael Jones told him that a mental disability retirement would require "some kind of suicidal psychotic crisis", Major Daniel Mazzone said during closing arguments, according to the Los Angeles Times.
But when Russell saw Jones again the next day, the psychiatrist said he had no intention of giving him "a golden ticket" out of the army.But when Russell saw Jones again the next day, the psychiatrist said he had no intention of giving him "a golden ticket" out of the army.
When Russell returned about an hour later, prosecutors said, he was looking for Jones but wound up killing two patients, a bystander and two other mental health workers. Jones escaped injury by jumping out of a window.When Russell returned about an hour later, prosecutors said, he was looking for Jones but wound up killing two patients, a bystander and two other mental health workers. Jones escaped injury by jumping out of a window.
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