Soldiers lied over Iraqis' deaths

A US soldier convicted of murdering unarmed Iraqis said today that he falsely implicated his platoon leader in the hope of receiving a lighter prison sentence.

At a hearing to determine whether 2nd Lt Erick Anderson will face a court martial on murder and conspiracy charges, Pvt Michael Williams said he lied when he said Anderson ordered him to shoot a man in Sadr City on August 28, 2004.