Unequal Justice

Call me crazy, but this civilian did not get justice.I really can't comment on what the Marines deserve. Justice is ultimately served by God, but a mere 7 years for taking the life of a man and the impact on his family is a joke, and reveals how little we value life today. In years past the would have been imprisoned for life or executed for murder.

Ultimately there excuse is that they were doing there orders is meaningless as a solder also has to determine right and wrong. They were doing what they wanted, because it served there ego.

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Marine withdraws Iraq murder plea

A squadmate said Cpl Thomas was a key player in the eventA US marine who was the only member of his squad to plead guilty to murder over the death of an Iraqi civilian has asked to withdraw his plea.
Cpl Trent Thomas made his request via his lawyer at the last minute, as the court was preparing to sentence him.
He was a member of a unit accused of killing Hashim Ibrahim Awad, 52, in the town of Hamdaniya in April 2006.
Three marines and a Navy medic pleaded guilty to lesser charges related to the incident. Others await trial.
Military judge Lt Col Tracy Daly granted Cpl Thomas' request after warning him he was creating a "very sticky problem" for the court, reports say.
Cpl Thomas was the first member of his unit to come forward with his version of events about the killing.
The unit was reportedly searching for an insurgent and took Mr Awad when they failed to find their target.
He was put in a hole and shot in the head 10 times. The troops then placed a gun and shovel by his body to make it seem as if he had been an insurgent planting a roadside bomb.
Forced march
At a sentencing hearing for Cpl Thomas on Wednesday, one his former squadmates testified that the marine corporal had been a key player in the killing.

Other US investigations
Petty Officer Melson J Bacos said Cpl Thomas and another marine, Cpl Marshall Magincalda, had entered Mr Awad's home and come out with him several moments later.
Cpl Thomas held Mr Awad during much of the forced march to the place he was killed, Bacos said.
He said squad leader Sgt Lawrence Hutchins III then fired three shots into Mr Awad's head followed by at least seven more rounds to the head from Cpl Thomas.
Bacos was sentenced to 10 years in prison for his part in the killing but is expected to serve only a year in exchange for his testimony against his former squadmates.
Cpl Thomas pleaded guilty last month to murder, conspiracy and kidnapping, among other charges.
But his lawyer asked that the plea be withdrawn on Thursday, only a day before the judge was expected to pass sentence.
"You are creating a very sticky problem for the court," Col Daley is reported to have said.
"He has already told me that he knew what he was doing is unlawful."
But his lawyer, Victor Kelley, said Cpl Thomas now believed he had lawful authority for his actions.
The case is one of several in which US troops are accused of killing Iraqi civilians.