Soldier confesses to Iraq killings

FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. – 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 Wednesday 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. It was among the worst in a series of alleged attacks on civilians and other abuses by military personnel in Iraq.

“I hated Iraqis, your honor,” Barker answered. “They can smile at you, then shoot you in your face without even thinking about it.”

Anderson accepted the plea agreement, which calls for Barker to serve at least life in prison. The judge will decide in a hearing today whether Barker should be allowed to seek parole.

Sgt. Paul E. Cortez, 24, and Pfc. Jesse V. Spielman, 22, members of the 101st Airborne Division with Barker, also are charged in the case. Cortez deferred entering a plea during his arraignment Wednesday. Spielman will be arraigned in December.

The fourth soldier, Pfc. Bryan L. Howard, 19, also deferred entering a plea at his arraignment in October. A fifth person, former Army Pvt. Steve Green, 21, pleaded not guilty last week to civilian charges including murder and sexual assault.