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Soldier found guilty

FORT CAMPBELL (Kentucky): A military jury has found a soldier guilty of rape and murder in the slayings of a 14-year-old Iraqi girl and her family.

Jurors deliberated much of Friday evening before convicting Army Pfc. Jesse Spielman (22), of conspiracy to commit rape, rape, housebreaking with intent to commit rape and four counts of felony murder.

Pfc. Spielman, was charged in connection with the March 12, 2006, slaying of the girl and the killings of her family by a group of soldiers. The attack took place in Mahmoudiya, a village about 30 km south of Baghdad.

During their courts-martial, the accused testified that they took turns raping the girl while one of them shot and killed her mother, father and younger sister. The girl was shot dead after she was raped, they said.

The judge scheduled a sentencing hearing for Saturday morning. — AP

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