Action for Abeer
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8 July 06 - Spc. James P. Barker, Sgt. Paul E. Cortez, Pfc. Jesse V. Spielman and Pfc. Bryan L. Howard are charged with the rape and murder of Abeer and the murder of her parents and sister. Sgt. Anthony W. Yribe is charged with dereliction of duty. 9 July 06 – Reuters and Associated Press reports confirm that Abeer is as young as 14, as reported on her ID and death certificate. 11 July 06 - Green’s lawyers request a gag order, claiming that the media attention and public passion indicate a “clear and imminent danger to the fair administration of justice”. 6-10 August 06 – Article 32 Hearing held in Baghdad to determine whether evidence is sufficient to proceed to court martial against Barker, Cortez, Spielman and Howard. (Defence focuses on the stress of combat.) 19 August 06 – This day would have been Abeer’s 15th birthday. 22 August 06 – Iraqi government announces an independent investigation. 31 August 06 - Gag order requested by attorneys for Steven Green is denied. US District Judge Thomas Russell also orders Steven Green to be arraigned in federal court on November 8th. 3 September 06 – Following the Article 32 hearings, US Army Investigator recommends that Barker, Cortez, Spielman and Howard be court martialled. Major General Thomas Turner, commander of the 101st Airborne Division, is courts martial convening authority and will decide whether the courts martial will go ahead. 18 October 06 – Decision to court martial Barker, Cortez, Spielman and Howard is announced. Cortez and Spielman could face the death penalty if convicted. 27 October 06 – Pfc. Bryan Howard is arraigned at Fort Campbell. He defers entering a plea and scheduling a date for court martial. 2 November 06 – Steven Green is indicted(LINK) by a federal grand jury in Louisville, KY. 2 November 06 – Pfc. Jesse Spielman due to be arraigned at Fort Campbell, however proceedings are delayed to a later date. 8 November 06 - Steven Green is arraigned in federal court in Louisville KY. He pleads not guilty on all counts. A scheduling hearing is set for November 29th and, for December 18th, a phone conference to discuss the possible death sentence. 15 November 06 – Sgt. Paul Cortez is arraigned at Fort Campbell. He defers entering a plea and scheduling a date for court martial. 15 November 06 – Spc. James Barker is arraigned at Fort Campbell. He pleads guilty to all charges. 15 November 06 – Barker’s lawyer (David Sheldon) says that Anthony Yribe was given an “other than honorable” discharge, which effectively terminated his prosecution, in return for testifying against the others. 16 November 06 – James Barker is sentenced by a military judge to life imprisonment with eligibility for parole and a dishonorable discharge. He will be eligible for parole in 10 years. << Back More >> |
