Soldier indicted for rape, murder in Iraq

[SR-25]

A FORMER US army private was indicted today on charges of murder and aggravated sexual abuse of an Iraqi girl and the killing of three members of her family in a case that shocked even a war-weary public.

Steven Green, 21, could face the death penalty if convicted of the charges handed down by a grand jury in Louisville, Kentucky.

Green was one of five US soldiers who are alleged to have broken into a house near the Iraqi town of Mamudiyah on March 12, raped a 14-year-old girl, then killed her and set fire to her body.

They allegedly killed the girl's mother, father and six-year-old sister who were in another room.

The charges against Green include premeditated murder; murder in perpetration of aggravated sexual abuse; aggravated sexual abuse on a person under the age of 16; conspiracy to commit murder and aggravated sexual abuse; the use of firearms while committing violent crimes; and obstruction of justice.

"The potential statutory penalties for conviction of these offences ranges from a term of years to life in prison to death," the US Justice Department said.

Green served with the 101st Airborne Division in Iraq but was dishonourably discharged in May with a "personality disorder."

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sto...005961,00.html