In another devastating blow to US credibility throughout the world, 24-year-old Specialist William B. Hunsaker has been sentenced to 18 years in prison after pleading guilty to obstruction of justice and the murder of 3 detainees. Hunsaker is one of four soldiers charged with the killings that followed a raid at the al-Muthana chemical complex last year in Iraq. Under a plea agreement, his rank will be reduced to a private, his pay will be forfeited, and he will be dishonorably discharged.

Military judge Colonel Theodore Dixon also levied a life sentence with parole that would be implemented if Hunsaker violates the terms of his plea agreement, which requires him to cooperate with prosecutors bringing cases against other soldiers accused in the crime�

�In testimony during his court-martial, Hunsaker said he took “careful aim” at the detainees and tried to make it as “professional” as possible. He said he shot two detainees in the chest and head. As part of a plea agreement, charges that Hunsaker had threatened another soldier’s life if he told authorities of the killings were dropped.

Three other soldiers were charged in the case, including Hunsaker’s squad leader, Staff Sergeant Raymond L. Girouard. Originally, the soldiers involved told investigators that they had shot the detainees because they were attempting to flee. Hunsaker recounted in testimony yesterday a meeting with his squad leader during which a plan to kill the detainees was discussed. “He told us to cut the zip ties, tell them to run and shoot them. I went out and did just that,” Hunsaker said. The case is one of two accusing soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division of killing Iraqis.

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