NO JUSTICE, NO PEACE

I imagine the Iraqis will deeply resent this miscarriage of justice. This is almost as bad as another case in which Marine 2nd Lt. Ilario G. Pantano killed two unarmed men in cold blood. Pantano walked.

Marine Spared Prison Time in Iraqi Death
Jul 20 06:22 PM US/Eastern
By ALLISON HOFFMAN
Associated Press Writer

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. (AP) - A military jury that convicted a Marine of kidnapping and conspiracy to murder decided Friday not to send him to prison for his role in killing an Iraqi civilian targeted after troops failed to abduct a suspected insurgent.

Cpl. Trent Thomas was sentenced to a bad-conduct discharge and a reduction in rank to private. He could have received life in prison for his role in the April 2006 killing of the retired Iraqi policeman in the village of Hamdania.

According to the NY Times, "All nine jury members — three officers and six enlisted men — had served in combat in Iraq." and that may account for the excessive leniency. The Times also gives all the counts:

In all, the jury found Corporal Thomas, of Madison, Ill., guilty on Wednesday of kidnapping and conspiracy to commit murder, larceny and housebreaking, and conspiracy to make false official statements.