Soldier Gets 90 Years for Rape

[Rhino]

Soldier Who Pleaded Guilty of Rape Sentenced to 90 Years

Friday, November 17, 2006

FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. — A soldier was sentenced to 90 years in prison with the possibility of parole in 20 years for conspiring to rape a 14-year-old Iraqi girl and kill her and her family.

Spc. James P. Barker, one of four Fort Campbell soldiers accused in the March 12 rape of Abeer Qassim al-Janabi and the killings, pleaded guilty and agreed to testify against the others to avoid the death penalty.

"This court sentences you to be confined for the length of your natural life, with the eligibility of parole," said Lt. Col. Richard Anderson, the military judge presiding over the court-martial.

Under the plea agreement, Barker got a life sentence Thursday but will not serve more than 90 years in prison, Anderson said. He will be eligible for parole in 20 years.

Barker, 23, showed no reaction when the sentence was read.

Earlier Thursday, Barker wept during his closing statement, accepted responsibility for the rape and killings and said violence he encountered left him "angry and mean" when it came to Iraqis.

"I want the people of Iraq to know that I did not go there to do the terrible things that I did," Barker said, his voice quivering as he began to weep. "I do not ask anyone to forgive me today.".......http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,229879,00.html

[Wyatt_Junker]

Not only is he a rapist, but he did a plea deal so that he could roll the other guys in order to get a life term instead of a firing squad. He's twice over a POS.

The best thing would be to confess with no plea deal. Eat your consequences and die.

[Eagle1]

life sentence, yet could be out in 20?

has life in prison ever meant life in prison?

[The_Elucidator]

When I saw this thread I thought that the UN was actually getting tough on one of their finest blue hats, this is the standard MO for them. With that being said, I completely agree with Wyatt...

[Republican_Legion]

And all the pedophiles in this country get like 9 months to 5 years or no prison time at all like that teacher 'Debra Lefave'.

[Timberwolf]

Took the words right outta my mouth, RL...

[Gonzo67]

And all the pedophiles in this country get like 9 months to 5 years or no prison time at all like that teacher 'Debra Lefave'.


That was also my first thought. Rapists, Pedophiles, even some murderers in this country don't get handed sentences like that.

But at the same time, I've always believed that our men and women in uniform are held to a "higher standard" because they have earned that distinction. They are, ideally, supposed to rise above that type of behavior.

Granted, I'm rational enough to know that is not always the case, but that does not dispel the "hope" that it could, one day, finally be true of ALL our people in uniform.

That soldier used his position of "Protector / Warrior" to his own destructive ends. The real "injustice" is that he'll be eligible for parole.

I do not believe that the punishment for his crimes should be lessened to fall more in line with civilian punishment for equivalent crimes here in the States. I feel that punishment for civilian crimes here in the States should be brought up to match THAT level.

The soldier got far luckier than he deserved. In a time of war, to go so far outside his mandate as to commit a crime like that, the penalty should have been Death.

I know I'll probably be called a "liberal" by some for saying it, but so be it. I'm sorry, I hold our soldiers to a much higher standard than I do some piece of shit that can't get a job at Burger King. Our soldiers have earned that much and more.

[Wolfcounsel]

Barker wept during his closing statement, accepted responsibility for the rape and killings and said violence he encountered left him "angry and mean" when it came to Iraqis. --from Rhino's link

This momma's boy did not have to take out his anger on innocent people. He could have gone into berserk mode and charged the nearest terrorist camp armed only with his bare hands. He deserves death.

[DeclinetoState]

Rapists, Pedophiles, even some murderers in this country don't get handed sentences like that.Some get life sentences . . . in Congress, that is.

:(

[DesertFox]

They can sentence Debra Lafave to me.

[Wolfcounsel]

"They can sentence Debra Lafave to me." --DesertFox

Or me. I'll give her all the rearing she's been missing all these years, while she's hung upside down by her toes. I still have my Shellback Shillelagh.
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