(March 21, 2007)--A Fort Campbell soldier from Texas pleaded guilty Wednesday to being an accessory to the rape and murder of an Iraqi girl and the slaying of her family.

Pfc. Bryan Howard of Huffman also pleaded guilty to conspiracy to obstruct justice by lying to his superior officers about the 2006 attack.

A sentencing hearing was expected to begin later in the day for the 20-year-old soldier, who's being prosecuted at Fort Campbell, Ky.

Howard faces a maximum 15 years in prison.

Howard told the judge he was left behind at a checkpoint while four other soldiers went to rape the girl.

The Texan also says overheard the four planning the attack.

Other soldiers from the 101st Airborne have said Howard wasn't directly involved in the attack last March.

Two other soldiers have already pleaded guilty to rape and murder.

Those two said they took turns raping the Iraqi teen while Pfc. Steven D. Green, who grew up in Midland, shot and killed her mother, father and younger sister.

Green, who's no longer in the Army, has pleaded not guilty to civilian charges including murder and sexual assault.

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