Former Blackwater Guards Head To Federal Court

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Posted: 6:48 AM Jan 6, 2009
Last Updated: 6:48 AM Jan 6, 2009

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Five security guards who worked for Blackwater Worldwide are heading to federal court.

The five men are scheduled to appear in a Washington courtroom Tuesday. They are expected to plead not guilty to charges of
manslaughter in a shooting that killed at least 14 Iraqi civilians.

North Carolina-based Blackwater protects State Department
diplomats in Iraq. But the September 2007 shooting in Baghdad's
Nisoor Square drew outcry from Iraqis, who demanded that Blackwater be banned from the country.

A sixth Blackwater guard has pleaded guilty in the case. But radio logs indicate that that the guards repeatedly reported incoming gunfire from insurgents and Iraqi police, casting doubt on prosecutors' claims that the shootings were unprovoked.

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Posted by: MrT Location: LaNC on Jan 6, 2009 at 10:21 PM
No War, what world are you from ?

Posted by: No War Location: The World on Jan 6, 2009 at 10:28 AM
Or should I say not enough being prosecuted.

Posted by: No War Location: THe World on Jan 6, 2009 at 08:54 AM
Maybe if these mercenaries we not there in the first place "defending freedom and democracy" in an illegal war to begin with, possibly none of this would have happened. And as far as killing Iraqis, there are not enough of our so-called "hereoes" not being prosecuted. Start at the top and work your way down.

Posted by: Anonymous on Jan 6, 2009 at 08:48 AM
We shouldnt be killing any Iraqi's in the first place Clifton. All those Blackwater guards are is cowboys and jerks. They can rot in hell for all i cared.

Posted by: MrT Location: LaNC on Jan 6, 2009 at 08:39 AM
These guys are being made scapegoats by the US govt. to keep the Iraqis happy.And the new rules that the govt. expects contractors to operate under are ridiculous.The US military should have to operate under the same rules as the contractors.

Posted by: Clifton Location: Washinton on Jan 6, 2009 at 07:10 AM
If these people had been killed in this attack or any attack, do you really think that the Iraqi's would be held accountable???? We have way too many service men/women that are in court for killing Iraqi's. It's like one General said about the Iraqi people. "They will kill you, cut you open, eat your organs, then mutilate the remains of your body>" Why do we waste the money to put our men/women that are in harms way on trial? Would you not protect yourself in these type situations??

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