random murders in iraq

From Yahoo :

Attorneys Wrap Up Army Drowning Case
Fri Jan 7,11:29 AM ET

U.S. National - AP
By ANGELA K. BROWN, Associated Press Writer
FORT HOOD, Texas - An Army sergeant was within his rights as a platoon leader when he ordered his troops to force two Iraqi cousins into the Tigris River for violating curfew, his attorney said in closing arguments.

Army Sgt. 1st Class Tracy Perkins, accused in the alleged drowning death of Zaidoun Fadel Hassoun, 19, is charged with involuntary manslaughter, aggravated assault, obstruction of justice and making a false statement.

Jurors deliberated for four hours Thursday and resumed Friday morning. If convicted, Perkins could receive no punishment or up to 26 years in a military prison.

Defense attorney Capt. Josh Norris said the hostilities in Iraq (news - web sites) require soldiers to find effective nonlethal ways to deter crime and establish respect.

"Did these guys cross over the line? Did they know the left and right limits? This war is in this gray area most of the time," Norris said. "Was it (the river incident) a good idea? Maybe not ... but was it a crime, considering all the circumstances?"

Prosecutors say Zaidoun Hassoun drowned and his cousin, Marwan Hassoun, climbed out the river. But the defense denies that Zaidoun died. The trial of Army 1st Lt. Jack Saville, the platoon leader, was postponed until March after a judge ordered the victim's body to be exhumed for an autopsy and identification.

In closing arguments, prosecutor Capt. Tom Schiffer said Perkins gave the orders to dump the men into the water — and therefore shares the blame with soldiers who forced the cousins at gunpoint into the river near Samarra in January 2004.

"We do need to send a message ... that you don't grab random people, detain them and throw them into bodies of water for no military purpose," Schiffer said.
He said a soldier's testimony that Perkins ordered him to grab another Iraqi man in December 2003 near Balad and toss him into the river showed a pattern of using unlawful military force. Perkins faces a second assault charge in that incident.

What the hell are our people doing over there?!?! Murdering people because of curfew violations?!?! And they're debating is this is a crime?!?! I'm running out of adjectives to describe this madness!!!