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U.S. Soldier Describes Killing Unarmed Iraqi

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Los Angeles Times

Published: September 28, 2007

BAGHDAD - U.S. Army Sgt. Evan Vela spoke in a low voice Thursday at the court-martial for his fellow soldier. Tears slid down the 23-year-old's cheeks, and the judge prompted him to talk louder.

On May 11, Vela's sniper team had detained an Iraqi man in Jaf al-Sakr, Vela testified. Staff Sgt. Michael A. Hensley undid the ropes that had pinned the prisoner's arms and asked Vela if he was ready, he said.

The dark-haired Idaho native told the court he wasn't sure what his superior meant. Hensley then cradled the Iraqi's head, straightened his headdress and moved away from Vela, who gripped a 9 mm pistol.

'I heard the word 'shoot.' I don't remember pulling the trigger. I just came to and the guy was dead. It took me a second to realize the shot came from the pistol in my hand,' Vela said.
Vela is one of three soldiers from the same sniper platoon who are accused of premeditated murder in three shooting incidents this spring.

Their cases have provided a picture of mentally exhausted troops and the role they allegedly played in a 'baiting program,' in which snipers are believed to have planted fake weapons and bomb-making materials, then killed anyone who picked them up.

The alleged program was revealed in a hearing in July that eventually sent Spc. Jorge G. Sandoval Jr. and Hensley to face court-martial on murder charges.

The Pentagon refuses to speak publicly about baiting.

'My client is no murderer. He is a victim,' said James Culp, Vela's attorney, who suspects 'baiting' might have contributed to the slaying of the Iraqi on May 11.

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