Soldier Sentenced for Murder of Iraqis

By RYAN LENZ

FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. – A soldier was sentenced Thursday to life in prison with the possibility of parole for conspiring to rape a 14-year-old Iraqi girl and kill her and her family.

Spc. James P. Barker, one of four Fort Campbell soldiers accused in the March 12 rape and killings, pleaded guilty Wednesday and agreed to testify against the others to avoid the death penalty.

Under terms of the plea agreement, Barker will not serve more than 90 years in prison, said Lt. Col. Richard Anderson, the military judge presiding over the court-martial.

“This court sentences you to be confined for the length of your natural life, with the eligibility of parole,” Anderson said.

Barker showed no reaction when the sentence was read. After the court-martial concluded, Barker went outside to smoke a cigarette as a military bailiff watched over him.

Barker grinned but made no remarks as reporters passed by.

Military prosecutors declined to comment because three other soldiers have yet to be tried in the case. Defense attorneys planned to speak to reporters to discuss their reaction to the ruling.

Sgt. Paul E. Cortez, accompanied by his two military attorneys, was the only other accused soldier in the room when the sentence was announced.