Convicted of mercy killing
No, not of Terri Schiavo. A soldier was court-martialed, and found guilty of putting a “gravely wounded” (AKA terminal) enemy soldier out of his misery.
WIESBADEN, Germany (AP) - A military court on Thursday found a U.S. Army tank company commander guilty of charges related to the shooting death of a wounded Iraqi last year.
Capt. Rogelio “Roger” Maynulet, a 30-year-old from Chicago, stood at attention as the verdict was read. The charge - assault with intent to commit voluntary manslaughter - carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.
…
Prosecutors said Maynulet violated military rules of engagement by shooting a man who was wounded and unarmed. Maynulet, 30, maintained that the man was gravely wounded and that he shot him to end his suffering.
UPDATE (4/1/05 4:20pm):
There is a more detailed article here.
Blackfive has some insightful comments here. The discussion in the comments is also interesting. I don’t know if I agree with any of it, but it’s interesting.
Also, Blackfive reports that he has been sentenced to be discharged from the Army. No word on the type of discharge.
