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Army Sniper Sentenced To Prison
A U.S. Army sniper convicted of killing an unarmed Iraqi civilian was sentenced to a 10-year prison term Sunday.
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(February 10, 2008)--A U.S. Army sniper convicted of killing an unarmed Iraqi civilian and planting evidence on his body was sentenced to 10 years in prison Sunday.
Sgt. Evan Vela was convicted on all counts earlier Sunday by a court-martial panel in Baghdad.
Vela's lawyers argued the death was an accident but prosecutors said it was clear-cut murder.
They said he killed the man then planted an AK-47 assault rifle on his body.
The defense called two medical experts who supported the claim that Vela was suffering from acute sleep deprivation and exhaustion.
Vela's lawyers say he later lied about the events in part because of post-traumatic stress syndrome.
In addition to the murder-without-premeditation conviction, Vela was also found guilty of making a false official statement and of conduct prejudicial to good order and discipline.
Two other snipers charged in the case were acquitted of murder but convicted of planting evidence.
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