U.S. Soldier Convicted for Part in Iraqi Murders

A U.S. soldier who admitted to killing an Iraqi citizen following an interrogation in 2007 has been convicted of murder by a panel at a court martial in Vilseck, Germany.

Defense lawyers argued that Sgt. Michael Leahy Jr. had been under so much stress while stationed in a combat zone that he was unable to act reasonably but the panel dismissed that argument, citing the brutal nature of the crime.

Leahy, 28, confessed that he was one of a group of soldiers that escorted four Iraqis who had been detained, questioned and then released following an attack at a military base. The Iraqis were released after it was determined there was not enough evidence to charge them but Leahy admitted they led the four out and then shot and killed them, leaving their bodies in a canal.

During interrogation Leahy told investigators he shot one of the four in the back of the head. His defense team told the panel “The tragedy resulted not so much by design but rather the working of fear, danger and madness attendant on many combat operations” but that was dismissed by the nine-member panel who decided Leahy’s fate.

Sentencing will be handed down at a later date but Leahy is facing life in jail and a dishonorable discharge. Several other soldiers are facing charges in the four murders.

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