Former US soldier convicted of Iraq rape and murder

A US federal jury has convicted a former soldier of raping and fatally shooting a 14-year-old girl after killing her parents and younger sister while he was serving in Iraq.

Steven Dale Green faces a possible death sentence when the penalty phase of his trial opens on Monday in the unusual case of a crime in a war zone being prosecuted in civilian court.

Green (aged 24), of Midland, Texas, was being tried in federal court because he had been discharged from the Army for a personality disorder before he was charged with the Iraq crimes.

Green stared straight ahead as the verdict was read in US District Court in western Kentucky.

Defence attorney Darren Wolff, speaking afterward, said the defence never denied Green’s involvement.

“Is this verdict a surprise to us? No. The goal has always been to save our client’s life,” Mr Wolff said. “And, now we’re going to go to the most important phase, which is the sentencing phase and we’re going to accomplish that goal.”

The lead prosecutor, Assistant US Attorney Marisa Ford, declined comment.

The trial began on April 27, and jurors deliberated for more than 10 hours beginning on Wednesday before finding Green guilty.

Jurors didn’t look at Green as they entered the courtroom before the verdict was read.