What do you guys think?

**triggerhappy2005** · 05-11-09, 02:59 AM

Concerning the conviction of former U.S. soldier Steven Green for the murder and rape of an Iraqi girl and her family, should the Iraqi's be allowed to try him and if convicted, punish him? Here's the article concerning this.

http://edition.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/05...ngs/index.html

My position is yes, he should be tried in Iraq by the Iraqi's. I feel this way b/c this was such a heinous crime and it had nothing to do with combat actions i.e. friendly fire.

**jmw_man** · 05-11-09, 07:30 AM

I've seen it happen both ways. I've seen people trial and punished in the US for crimes out of the country and I've seen people trial and punished in other countries for crimes in that country.

I think they should be allowed to trial and punish him in Iraq since I believe that generally speaking, if I break the law of another country, I should expect to see the inside of a jail cell within that country.

Let me ask you this, a different take on things. What if the kid broke a law of the US but it happened to be legal under Iraq's laws. Did he actually break it or not? Just curious....

**Menoske** · 05-11-09, 07:42 AM

Originally Posted by jmw_man

I've seen it happen both ways. I've seen people trial and punished in the US for crimes out of the country and I've seen people trial and punished in other countries for crimes in that country.

I think they should be allowed to trial and punish him in Iraq since I believe that generally speaking, if I break the law of another country, I should expect to see the inside of a jail cell within that country.

Let me ask you this, a different take on things. What if the kid broke a law of the US but it happened to be legal under Iraq's laws. Did he actually break it or not? Just curious....

Yes its illegal. You need to abide by the laws of the country you are in. It's like when you're on a college campus, or on any organization's property, you abide by the rules set by that organization.

**davecraze** · 05-11-09, 07:43 AM

US soldier tried by US troops makes more sense. Not defending the dude but innocent until prov-en guilty is out the window if tried by Iraqis.

**deathgodusmc** · 05-11-09, 08:51 AM

If he was arrested there i would say yes but he wasn't so I have to say no. It was during a tour of duty he's already fucked anyway. Mine as well let our civilian and military punish him because he is subject to both.

**triggerhappy2005** · 05-11-09, 09:05 AM

Originally Posted by jmw_man

I've seen it happen both ways. I've seen people trial and punished in the US for crimes out of the country and I've seen people trial and punished in other countries for crimes in that country.

I think they should be allowed to trial and punish him in Iraq since I believe that generally speaking, if I break the law of another country, I should expect to see the inside of a jail cell within that country.

Let me ask you this, a different take on things. What if the kid broke a law of the US but it happened to be legal under Iraq's laws. Did he actually break it or not? Just curious....

Good question, I think we need a lawyer to answer this. My opinion is if it was not a crime where that person was at, nothing to worry about.

**deathgodusmc** · 05-11-09, 09:10 AM

As a acting member of a military service of the U.S.A. he is subject to OUR laws regardless as to what is legal in there countries. On top of which if something is illegal in their country and not in ours than it is also illegal for him while he is off base.

**Kelderos** · 05-11-09, 01:55 PM

Originally Posted by triggerhappy2005

Originally Posted by jmw_man

I've seen it happen both ways. I've seen people trial and punished in the US for crimes out of the country and I've seen people trial and punished in other countries for crimes in that country.

I think they should be allowed to trial and punish him in Iraq since I believe that generally speaking, if I break the law of another country, I should expect to see the inside of a jail cell within that country.

Let me ask you this, a different take on things. What if the kid broke a law of the US but it happened to be legal under Iraq's laws. Did he actually break it or not? Just curious....

Good question, I think we need a lawyer to answer this. My opinion is if it was not a crime where that person was at, nothing to worry about.

You Abide by the Uniform Code of Military Justice, The Law of Armed Combat, and The country's laws. The UCMJ as Trigger should know has a catch all article were they can get you for pretty much anything if they feel like it. I don't think you abide by American laws though since your not in America.

**wh0n3xt** · 05-11-09, 02:06 PM

Having been in the military when I was younger, it was always expected and understood you were held to a MUCH higher standard. You abide by the UCMJ, like Kelderos has already stated. Also, as an American, you abide by American laws. AND, while you are in another country, you abide by their laws and customs.

Should any conflict occur you should abide by Military law, which anyone on the military will attest, is MUCH more strict.

As for the original topic, I feel torn. I DO believe that normally, you are tried where you commit the crime, but as we have caveats in place for other nationals to get around laws in the US and be tried in their home countries if applicable, I would think that they same should hold true here.

What's good for the goose, is also good for the gander... (bet some of you youngsters have never heard this saying. :P )

**rock_lobster** · 05-11-09, 02:27 PM

Originally Posted by triggerhappy2005

Originally Posted by jmw_man

I've seen it happen both ways. I've seen people trial and punished in the US for crimes out of the country and I've seen people trial and punished in other countries for crimes in that country.

I think they should be allowed to trial and punish him in Iraq since I believe that generally speaking, if I break the law of another country, I should expect to see the inside of a jail cell within that country.

Let me ask you this, a different take on things. What if the kid broke a law of the US but it happened to be legal under Iraq's laws. Did he actually break it or not? Just curious....

Good question, I think we need a lawyer to answer this. My opinion is if it was not a crime where that person was at, nothing to worry about.

I know that in tax law, it's understood that in other countries, bribes and kickbacks are in fact legal, however when it comes to filing taxes in the US, it is not something you are allowed to write off. So I'm assuming since you can technically admit that you bribed a foreign official on your tax return, without reprecussion, that the US wouldnt try you on legal actions in another country that are illegal in the US.

If that makes any sense.