U.S. soldier gets 100 years for Iraq rape

[Dr. Shane]

U.S. soldier gets 100 years for Iraq rape, killings

Quote:

In his plea agreement, he said he conspired with three other soldiers from the Fort Campbell-based 101st Airborne Division to rape 14-year-old Abeer Qassim al-Janabi. The girl, her parents and a younger sister were all killed.

Earlier Thursday, tears rolled down Cortez's face as he apologized for the rape and murders. He said he could not explain why he took part.

"I still don't have an answer," Cortez told the judge. "I don't know why. I wish I hadn't. The lives of four innocent people were taken. I want to apologize for all of the pain and suffering I have caused the al-Janabi family."

[Gerr]

With good behavior, he should be out in 5 years.

Gerry

[Dr. Shane]

I am torn on issues like this. Soldiers that kill innocents are not in the same frame of mind that civilians are. They are seeing their friends get shot and blown up and that has to impact their ability to think rationally. I think a fair sentence for a soldier that kills an innocent civilian in a theater of war is 10 - 15 years.

However rape is another matter. I think that deserves an additional 5 - 10 years. I don't get rape. I don't even understand how a man can get sexually aroused when he is enraged. To me, sex and anger don't go together. So while I can put myself in the shoes of a soldier that kills and innocent civilian, I cannot relate at all to what would drive a guy to rape a woman in war or not.