Blackwater guards found guilty in Iraq shootings

[Independent voter]

Blast from the past

My guess is that mercenary firms aren't going to see much government business in the future. Black Water or Xe as it's called now just does training these days.

jury-reaches-verdict-blackwater-guards-trial

WASHINGTON (AP) — Four former Blackwater security guards were convicted Wednesday in the 2007 shootings of more than 30 Iraqis in Baghdad, an incident that inflamed anti-American sentiment around the globe and was denounced by critics as an illustration of a war gone horribly wrong.


The men claimed self-defense, but federal prosecutors argued that they had shown "a grave indifference" to the carnage their actions would cause. All four were ordered immediately to jail.

Their lawyers are promising to file appeals. The judge did not immediately set a sentencing date.

The federal jury found Nicholas Slatten guilty of first-degree murder, the most serious charge in a multi-count indictment. The three other guards — Paul Slough, Evan Liberty and Dustin Heard — were found guilty of multiple counts of voluntary manslaughter, attempted manslaughter and gun violations.

The outcome after a summer-long trial and weeks of jury deliberation appeared to stun the defense.

David Schertler, a lawyer for Heard, said, "The verdict is wrong, it's incomprehensible. We're devastated. We're going to fight it every step of the way. We still think we're going to win."

However, one of those struck by gunfire in the shootings, Hassan Jabir, said in Baghdad that "at last we are hearing good news where justice has been achieved and Blackwater will receive their punishment." He said there are two bullets still inside his body, one in his hand and one in his back, which doctors have said it would be very risky to remove.

The shootings on Sept. 16, 2007, caused an international uproar over the role of defense contractors in urban warfare.


The State Department had hired Blackwater to protect American diplomats in Baghdad, the Iraqi capital, and elsewhere in the country. Blackwater convoys of four heavily armored vehicles operated in risky environments where car bombs and attacks by insurgents were common.

On the murder charge, Slatten could face a maximum penalty of life in prison. The other three defendants could face decades behind bars.

The case was mired in legal battles for years, making it uncertain whether the defendants would ever be tried.

The trial itself focused on the killings of 14 Iraqis and the wounding of 17 others. During an 11-week trial, prosecutors summoned 72 witnesses, including Iraqi victims, their families and former colleagues of the defendant Blackwater guards.
There was sharp disagreement over the facts in the case

[Independent voter]

define self defense for me please after checking the bold texts.

The jury said it wasn't self defense and found the guards guilty. They are going to jail.

I guess they are appealing the verdict.

[Vizardlorde]

define self defense for me please after checking the bold texts.

They were not white and got too close, and after shooting the first one the other's got loud.

[Deleted]

In the meantime the shit heads in charge change the company name a few times and get away scot free.

[Jackmoves]

In the meantime the shit heads in charge change the company name a few times and get away scot free.

Erik Prince, the founder, got a net worth of 2.4 billion USD. The Man has made some good money.

Not only where there some really awful incidents of civilians getting mowed down, but they've also exploited people from for example Colombia. Promised them X amount of money and given them Y, while pocketing the rest for themselves.

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yes i know. it's just funny how someone can claim self defense when he killed large amount of innocent people.

Well, from the reports I read shots were fired, they then proceeded to light up the entire neighbourhood pretty much. One in the group eventually pointed his gun at one of the gunners to get him to ceasefire(after having been ignored when he was vocal about it). Shots might have very well been fired and that then caused them to shit their pants and start to mow down anything in sight. Not everyone is wired for the job they had, so they could lose the grip of the situation.

[Wells]

I am shocked, shocked, that mercenaries turned out to be unsavory. When you can't count on people you hired to kill other people for money who can you count on?

[Deleted]

Mercenaries do not belong in this day and age.

[Skalm]

Well, from the reports I read shots were fired, they then proceeded to light up the entire neighbourhood pretty much. One in the group eventually pointed his gun at one of the gunners to get him to ceasefire(after having been ignored when he was vocal about it). Shots might have very well been fired and that then caused them to shit their pants and start to mow down anything in sight. Not everyone is wired for the job they had, so they could lose the grip of the situation.

That is probably what happened. There was probably one person in a group that had a weapon and fired shots. For the most part terrorists and such know that U.S. Military can't start shooting into a crowd of people. They probably did not realize that since these were contractors they may actually just start shooting back, into a crowd regardless of who the crowd was...

[larrakeyah]

Mercenaries do not belong in this day and age.

I think there's space for everyone in this day and age. There are probably good contractors out there who do a good job.

[Wells]

I think there's space for everyone in this day and age. There are probably good contractors out there who do a good job.

And there are probably good sushi street cart vendors who totally haven't ever poisoned anyone. Doesn't mean we should trust them.

[Caliph]

Thank god finally some justice for the slain and their families. They're not even soldiers. Just mercenaries killing at will. I hope they rot.

[larrakeyah]

And there are probably good sushi street cart vendors who totally haven't ever poisoned anyone. Doesn't mean we should trust them.

A job is a job. Trust is subjective.

[Tsimp]

Mercenaries are mostly evil by tradition. They commit violence for money. With capitalism growing stronger we'll only see more and more mercenary and private security companies showing up or expanding their business.

Nothing good or bad, but thinking makes it so...

[Deleted]

I think there's space for everyone in this day and age. There are probably good contractors out there who do a good job.

Not for hired guns, security agents, ok, straightout mercenaries operating in warzones? Fuck no.

[Gumboy]

My guess is that mercenary firms aren't going to see much government business in the future. Black Water or Xe as it's called now just does training these days.

No, they will still get plenty of work, I wouldn't worry about that

[Theinquisition]

I've actually got a Job offer from XE, the company that used to be Black water, don't know if im going to do it, but boy is the pay outstanding.

[Vizardlorde]

No, they will still get plenty of work, I wouldn't worry about that

As long as they have close ties to US government officials, they will always get contracts ^-^

[Wells]

I've actually got a Job offer from XE, the company that used to be Black water, don't know if im going to do it, but boy is the pay outstanding.

And all it costs you is any semblance of morality!

[Deleted]

I've actually got a Job offer from XE, the company that used to be Black water, don't know if im going to do it, but boy is the pay outstanding.

That is like selling your soul to the devil.

[Wells]

That is like selling your soul to the devil.

Nah, the Devil only inflicts torment on bad guys. Xe is more negotiable.