Sniper jailed for killing civilian
11/02/2008 07:22  - (SA)  

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Baghdad - An Army sniper was sentenced to 10 years in prison on Sunday, hours after being found guilty of murder by a military jury.

The trial of Sergeant Evan Vela was the last of three in a series of shooting deaths south of Baghdad that defence lawyers said took place under command pressure to increase kill counts, and, perhaps, employ questionable tactics while doing so.

Vela, 24, was found guilty of murder without premeditation, aiding and abetting in the planting of an AK-47 on the dead man's body and of later lying to military investigators about the incident.

He was also sentenced to forfeit all pay and allowances and will receive a dishonorable discharge. The case is automatically referred to a military appeals court.

Vela has been in confinement in Kuwait since July 1. That time will be credited to his sentence, the judge said.

Apology

Before the jury broke to determine his sentence, Vela sought mercy -apologising to the court, the Army and to one of the sons of Genei Nasir al-Janabi, the man he shot with a pistol in May. The son had testified in the trial.

"When I came to Iraq, I didn't come to do anything wrong," Vela told the jury, reading from a handwritten statement. "I failed my standards, your standards and the standards of the Army. All I can say is I'm sorry and ask for mercy."

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