Second US soldier admits executing Iraqi prisoners

A second US soldier today pleaded guilty to executing four bound and blindfolded Iraqi prisoners in Baghdad.

Sergeant Joseph Mayo (aged 27) will be sentenced later and faces life in military prison.

The judge overseeing the court martial in Germany told Mayo that he “entered into an agreement to commit premeditated murder” that saw the four Iraqi men shot in the head in 2007.

The men were captured after a shootout with a patrol.

The Iraqis were taken to the US unit’s operating base in Baghdad for questioning and processing, although there was not enough evidence to hold them for attacking the unit.

Later that night, patrol members took the Iraqis to a remote area and shot them in retribution for the attacks on the unit.

In February sergeant Michael Leahy (aged 28) was sentenced to life after he admitted killing of one of the men.

Mayo, Leahy and sergeant John Hatley (aged 40) were all accused of pulling the trigger.

“Hatley stated that if we took (the) individuals to detention they’d be released in a matter of days,” Mayo told the court. “He said we should take care of them. I agreed.”

All were with the 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 1st Infantry Division. The unit is now part of the Germany-based 172nd Infantry Brigade.

Hatley’s court-martial is scheduled for April.

Two soldiers pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit premeditated murder and were sentenced to prison last year.