Post by Anja Nieser on Sept 4, 2006 11:59:43 GMT -5
Charleston soldier faces death penalty, mother speaks out
A Charleston mother is pleading for her son's life.
22-year-old Private First Class Corey Claggett and 3 other soldiers
are accused of killing 3 Iraqi detainees in May. Now an army investigator
is recommending the 4 soldiers face the death penalty.
Gray Hall of our Charleston affiliate WCBD talked 1-on-1 with Claggett's
mom about the news.
"If something happens to Corey I will die... Because I can't live knowing
my son is locked up or worse," said Dianeska. Knowing her son is in jail
is overwhelming, but things are getting worse. "When the charges were
brought before Corey I asked my son to forgive me... Please forgive me...
Because maybe his life wouldn't be on the line right now."
Dianiska encouraged her son to join the military, and says this makes the
accusation of murder even more unbearable. She says her son is innocent
and the murder was self defense. Clagett says detainees caused wounds to
one of the other soldiers and claims he was also hit.
Recently, Claggett spoke to ABC News Nightline, where he said he was
following orders.
"We were told that everybody on this island was hostile, known al Qaida
insurgents and we're going in to kill all military-aged males," Clagett
told ABC's Martin Bashir. Bashir then asked, "so you were told
specifically to kill all military aged males?" "Correct," Clagett
responded. When asked, "were you ever told on any other mission that you
were to kill all military aged males, did that ever happen prior to this
event?" Clagett responded "no, never."
Clagett's mother says she learned about the recommendation for the death
penalty in an email. She's still shocked by the army investigator's
decision.
Army officials will now decide if the recommendation for the death penalty
should be followed. The soldiers are expected to be tried at the Fort
Campbell Military Base.
(source: WIS TV News)
A Charleston mother is pleading for her son's life.
22-year-old Private First Class Corey Claggett and 3 other soldiers
are accused of killing 3 Iraqi detainees in May. Now an army investigator
is recommending the 4 soldiers face the death penalty.
Gray Hall of our Charleston affiliate WCBD talked 1-on-1 with Claggett's
mom about the news.
"If something happens to Corey I will die... Because I can't live knowing
my son is locked up or worse," said Dianeska. Knowing her son is in jail
is overwhelming, but things are getting worse. "When the charges were
brought before Corey I asked my son to forgive me... Please forgive me...
Because maybe his life wouldn't be on the line right now."
Dianiska encouraged her son to join the military, and says this makes the
accusation of murder even more unbearable. She says her son is innocent
and the murder was self defense. Clagett says detainees caused wounds to
one of the other soldiers and claims he was also hit.
Recently, Claggett spoke to ABC News Nightline, where he said he was
following orders.
"We were told that everybody on this island was hostile, known al Qaida
insurgents and we're going in to kill all military-aged males," Clagett
told ABC's Martin Bashir. Bashir then asked, "so you were told
specifically to kill all military aged males?" "Correct," Clagett
responded. When asked, "were you ever told on any other mission that you
were to kill all military aged males, did that ever happen prior to this
event?" Clagett responded "no, never."
Clagett's mother says she learned about the recommendation for the death
penalty in an email. She's still shocked by the army investigator's
decision.
Army officials will now decide if the recommendation for the death penalty
should be followed. The soldiers are expected to be tried at the Fort
Campbell Military Base.
(source: WIS TV News)