[JURIST] The US Defense Department has announced that three US servicemen have been charged with rape and murder and a fourth has been charged with dereliction of duty in connection with the March 12 rape and murder of an Iraqi civilian and the murder of her family in Mahmudiya (also "Mahmoudiya") [JURIST news archive]according to wire services. The four, previously held by the military while under investigation [JURIST report], will now face Article 32 hearings [Navy JAG backgrounder] to determine whether they will face court-martial.

Last week former US Army soldier Steven Green was charged [JURIST report] in federal court with murder and rape in connection with the same incident. He has pleaded not guilty [JURIST report].

9:21 AM ET – Accorrding to US Central Command, the four soldiers, all members of the 101st Airborne Division, were charged Saturday

in connection with their alleged participation in the rape and murder of a young Iraqi woman and three members of her family. The fourth Soldier was charged with dereliction of duty for his failure to report the rape and murder of these Iraqi civilians, but is not alleged to have been a direct participant in the rape and killings. All are charged with conspiring with former Private First Class Steven D. Green to commit these crimes.