Specialist James Barker: US soldier murdered Iraqi family after raping 14-year-old girl
This article contains distressing content that could be traumatic for some readers. Discretion is advised.
In November 2006, a US soldier pleaded guilty to the rape and murder of a 14-year-old Iraqi girl as well as the killing of three members of her family in one of the most brutal attacks recorded in the war-torn nation.
In addition to pleading guilty to the charges, Specialist James Barker also agreed to testify against three other accused soldiers. The guilty plea was reportedly part of a deal to avoid the death penalty. The grisly murders took place on March 12, 2006, in Mahmoudiya, a village 20 miles south of Baghdad. Five soldiers stationed at a checkpoint there allegedly raped the girl, Abeer Qassim al-Janabi, before burning her body to conceal evidence. The group subsequently killed her father, mother, and six-year-old sister.
