US soldier accused of executing Iraqi goes on trial

0 Comments | AFP, April, 2008

HONOLULU (AFP) — An attorney for a US soldier charged with shooting dead an Iraqi prisoner last year told a military jury Wednesday that his client acted in self-defense.

Army Sergeant First Class Trey Corrales, 35, faces life in prison if found guilty of premeditated murder and obstruction of justice.

His court martial began Wednesday at a military base in the state of Hawaii, where his unit is based.

Corrales had a spotless combat record and was the leader of an elite scout sniper platoon when the events unfolded during a raid to flush out insurgents near the northern city of Kirkuk just after midnight on June 23 last year.

"Very simply put, did he act reflectively or did he act reflexively? The defense theory of the case is that Sergeant First...