Soldier admits to Iraq rape, killings
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One of four U.S. soldiers accused of raping a 14-year-old Iraqi girl last spring and killing her and her family pleaded guilty at Ft. Campbell and agreed to testify against the others.
Spc. James P. Barker agreed to the plea deal to avoid the death penalty, said his civilian attorney, David Sheldon.
The military judge presiding over the case, Lt. Col. Richard Anderson, asked Barker why he participated in the attack in Mahmoudiya, a village about 20 miles south of Baghdad.
“I hated Iraqis, your honor,” Barker answered. “They can smile at you, then shoot you in your face without even thinking about it.”
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