Jury Selected for Steven Green Trial

[uppityperson]

Source: KWES

The jury has been seated for the murder and rape trial of former Midland soldier Steven Green. Jury selection wrapped up this morning in Paducah, Kentucky with 15 women and three men selected.

The former soldier is accused of raping an Iraqi girl, then killing her and her family more than three years ago.

Three other soldiers have pleaded guilty and a fourth was convicted for their parts in the crimes. Green has pleaded not guilty and could face the death penalty if convicted.

Opening arguments are set to begin April 27th.

Read more: http://www.newswest9.com/Global/story.asp?S=10205368&nav=menu505_2

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I'll be watching and posting what happens. RIP Abeer, Hadeel, Qassim, Fakhriya. May they get the justice done that is deserved. I am so sorry for the 2 brothers, to lose their family in this atrocious way.

[bluestateguy]

1. They're just getting around to this now?

How long could it possibly take?

[uppityperson]

2. They had lots of delaying tactics, including asking to go to Iraq to interview

family and people there. There was also concern that this was not the way to try Green, loophole in some law about trying former military in civilian courts vs court martial. I found a link online a wk or so ago with all the legal stuff that had been filed. Thought I put it on DU since it was from an article asking if this was the way he should be tried, but can't find it now. If I find it again, will repost it as it is quite something.


Couple other recent Du links about it, with articles, etc.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=5463476&mesg_id=5463476

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&
topic_id=3831439&mesg_id=3831439

Edited to add another article/link
http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009904180391

A jury has been seated in the case of a former Army soldier charged with raping a 14-year-old Iraqi girl and killing her and her family. Former Pfc. Steven Dale Green, 23, is the first ex-soldier to be charged as a civilian under a 2000 law that allows U.S. authorities to prosecute former members of the military for crimes overseas.

Opening statements are set to begin April 27 in federal court in Paducah, following a break. Attorneys yesterday selected the jury -- 15 women and three men -- from a pool of 80 prospective candidates.

Green, of Midland, Texas, faces 17 counts, including murder and rape. He is being tried in Paducah because it is the closest federal court in the Western District to Fort Campbell, Ky., where he was last stationed.

(clip)
Prosecutors say that they will ask for a death sentence if Green is convicted. U.S. District Judge Thomas B. Russell had to arrange the trial schedule around the 25th annual American Quilter's Society show in Paducah, an event that draws thousands and fills hotel rooms that were needed for trial lawyers and witnesses....(more)