Prosecutors seeking death penalty for former US soldier in Mahmudiya case News
Prosecutors seeking death penalty for former US soldier in Mahmudiya case

[JURIST] Federal prosecutors disclosed Tuesday that they will seek the death penalty [Notice of Intent, PDF] if a conviction is secured against former US soldier Steven D. Green [JURIST news archive], the alleged key player in the Mahmudiya rape-murder case [JURIST news archive]. Green is believed to have masterminded the rape and murder of a 14-year-old Iraqi girl and the murder of her family in March 2006. He entered a plea of not guilty [JURIST report] in November, following a three month delay [JURIST report] requested by prosecutors. Green is being tried in federal court [docket] because he was discharged from military service due to a personality disorder before the charges arose.

Four soldiers [JURIST report] who were still serving in the military when the allegations broke were court-martialed for their involvement. Spc. James P. Barker and Sgt. Paul E. Cortez [JURIST reports] received prison sentences of 90 and 100 years respectively after they pleaded guilty to participating in the attack. Pfc. Bryan Howard, who allegedly played a smaller role, plead guilty [JURIST report] in March to conspiracy to commit rape and premeditated murder and conspiracy to obstruct justice, and faces up to 15 years in prison. Pfc. Jesse Spielman's court-martial began in April. AP has more.

THIS DAY @ LAW

UN Security Council called for Israeli withdrawal from territories occupied in Six Days' War

On November 22, 1967, the UN Security Council called for Israeli withdrawal from territories occupied during the Six Days' War, and for respect of the right of all States in the area to "live in peace within secure and recognized boundaries." Read Resolution 242, which remains a cornerstone of efforts to achieve peace in the Middle East.

President Kennedy assassinated, VP Lyndon Johnson sworn inin

On November 22, 1963, President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas. Later that day, Vice-President Lyndon Johnson was sworn in as the 36th President of the United States. Earl Warren, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, was later tasked with leading a commission to investigate the assassination. President Johnson received the final report of the Warren Commission on September 24, 1964. Read the Warren Commission Report.