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06-04-2005, 09:20 PM
3 GIs charged in Iraqi's death face courts-martial
By Felisa Cardona
Denver Post Staff Writer
Three Fort Carson soldiers accused of killing an Iraqi general were referred to
courts-martial Thursday on charges of murder, assault and dereliction of duty.
The charges stem from the death of Iraqi Major Gen. Abed Hamed Mowhoush
during an interrogation in November 2003, authorities said.
Dates for the courts-martial have not been set.
The charges are against Chief Warrant Officer Lewis E. Welshofer,
Chief Warrant Officer Jeff L. Williams and Spec. Jerry L. Loper.
The soldiers were charged last year after Mowhoush died from asphyxiation.
Last month, a hearing officer had recommended that Williams receive a
reduction of charges from murder to involuntary manslaughter and assault.
The same hearing officer recommended all charges be dropped against a
fourth soldier charged with murder, Sgt. 1st Class William Sommer. Sommer's
case is still pending, authorities said.
Court documents show Mowhoush was beaten by CIA operatives and special
forces days before his fatal interrogation.
The soldiers are accused of placing a sleeping bag over the Iraqi general
while Welshofer sat on his chest and placed his hands over Mowhoush's mouth.
Loper faces a maximum punishment of life in prison without parole, a
reduction in rank, forfeiture of all pay and allowances, and a dishonorable
discharge.
Welshofer and Williams also face life without parole, forfeiture of all pay and
allowances, and dismissal.
http://www.denverpost.com/prisonerabuse/ci_2777003
By Felisa Cardona
Denver Post Staff Writer
Three Fort Carson soldiers accused of killing an Iraqi general were referred to
courts-martial Thursday on charges of murder, assault and dereliction of duty.
The charges stem from the death of Iraqi Major Gen. Abed Hamed Mowhoush
during an interrogation in November 2003, authorities said.
Dates for the courts-martial have not been set.
The charges are against Chief Warrant Officer Lewis E. Welshofer,
Chief Warrant Officer Jeff L. Williams and Spec. Jerry L. Loper.
The soldiers were charged last year after Mowhoush died from asphyxiation.
Last month, a hearing officer had recommended that Williams receive a
reduction of charges from murder to involuntary manslaughter and assault.
The same hearing officer recommended all charges be dropped against a
fourth soldier charged with murder, Sgt. 1st Class William Sommer. Sommer's
case is still pending, authorities said.
Court documents show Mowhoush was beaten by CIA operatives and special
forces days before his fatal interrogation.
The soldiers are accused of placing a sleeping bag over the Iraqi general
while Welshofer sat on his chest and placed his hands over Mowhoush's mouth.
Loper faces a maximum punishment of life in prison without parole, a
reduction in rank, forfeiture of all pay and allowances, and a dishonorable
discharge.
Welshofer and Williams also face life without parole, forfeiture of all pay and
allowances, and dismissal.
http://www.denverpost.com/prisonerabuse/ci_2777003