JURIST - Paper Chase: Prosecutors seeking death penalty for former US soldier in Mahmudiya case

[JURIST] Federal prosecutors disclosed Tuesday that they will seek the death penalty [Notice of Intent, PDF] if a conviction is secured against former US soldier Steven D. Green [JURIST news archive], the alleged key player in the Mahmudiya rape-murder case [JURIST news archive]. Green is believed to have masterminded the rape and murder of a 14-year-old Iraqi girl and the murder of her family in March 2006. He entered a plea of not guilty [JURIST report] in November, following a three month delay [JURIST report] requested by prosecutors. Green is being tried in federal court [docket] because he was discharged from military service due to a personality disorder before the charges arose.

Four soldiers [JURIST report] who were still serving in the military when the allegations broke were court-martialed for their involvement. Spc. James P. Barker and Sgt. Paul E. Cortez [JURIST reports] received prison sentences of 90 and 100 years respectively after they pleaded guilty to participating in the attack. Pfc. Bryan Howard, who allegedly played a smaller role, plead guilty [JURIST report] in March to conspiracy to commit rape and premeditated murder and conspiracy to obstruct justice, and faces up to 15 years in prison. Pfc. Jesse Spielman's court-martial began in April. AP has more.

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