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U.S. military dismisses convicted soldier
A U.S. Army captain convicted in the shooting death of a wounded Iraqi was dismissed today from the armed forces, but the military court did not impose a prison sentence. Capt. Rogelio "Roger" Maynulet, 30, was convicted Thursday of assault with intent to commit voluntary manslaughter, which carries a 10-year maximum sentence. He argued the killing was "honorable" because he wanted to end the man's suffering. Maynulet, who was convicted of a lesser charge than the one he originally faced, assault with the intent to commit murder, said he was sorry to be forced to leave the Army. "It's bittersweet," he said. "I'm happy to have my life back, but I'm being forced out of my family. Still, I'm definitely happy I'm not in confinement."Maynulet stood at attention as Lt. Col. Laurence Mixon, the head of the six-member panel hearing his case, announced the sentence. He then embraced his defense lawyers and his wife, who burst into tears. Prosecutors had sought a three-year prison term for Maynulet in addition to dismissal from the armed forces, arguing that a strong penalty would send a signal to other U.S. soldiers that such behavior would not be tolerated. Posted by: Fred 2005-04-01 |
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