Team Infidel
Forum Spin Doctor
Washington Post
February 9, 2007
Pg. 10
CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- A military judge granted a Marine corporal's request Thursday to withdraw his guilty plea to charges of murdering an unarmed Iraqi civilian who was dragged from his home and shot.
Cpl. Trent Thomas asked to change the plea, saying he no longer believes he is guilty in the death of Hashim Ibrahim Awad. Thomas now says he believes he was following a lawful order from his superiors.
"Sir, when my country gives me an order, I follow it," Thomas told the judge, Lt. Col. Tracy Daley.
Thomas, 25, pleaded guilty Jan. 18 to eight felonies, including kidnapping, murder and assault. He was one of a squad of seven Marines and a sailor accused last year of hatching a plot to kill an Iraqi in the town of Hamdaniyah. Four others pleaded guilty to lesser charges. Thomas, the squad's second-in-command, could face life in prison.
The request to withdraw the pleas came at the beginning of the second day of Thomas's sentencing hearing.
February 9, 2007
Pg. 10
CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- A military judge granted a Marine corporal's request Thursday to withdraw his guilty plea to charges of murdering an unarmed Iraqi civilian who was dragged from his home and shot.
Cpl. Trent Thomas asked to change the plea, saying he no longer believes he is guilty in the death of Hashim Ibrahim Awad. Thomas now says he believes he was following a lawful order from his superiors.
"Sir, when my country gives me an order, I follow it," Thomas told the judge, Lt. Col. Tracy Daley.
Thomas, 25, pleaded guilty Jan. 18 to eight felonies, including kidnapping, murder and assault. He was one of a squad of seven Marines and a sailor accused last year of hatching a plot to kill an Iraqi in the town of Hamdaniyah. Four others pleaded guilty to lesser charges. Thomas, the squad's second-in-command, could face life in prison.
The request to withdraw the pleas came at the beginning of the second day of Thomas's sentencing hearing.