US sentences Iraq soldier in accidental shooting
(Adds comment from spokesman)
BAGHDAD, July 11 (Reuters) - The U.S. military sentenced a soldier to three years in a military jail on Saturday for the accidental shooting death of a fellow soldier serving in Iraq. "Sergeant Miguel A. Vegaquinones was sentenced to three years confinement, reduction in rank to private ... and a dishonourable discharge," the U.S. military said in a statement.
Vegaquinones pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter after the Jan. 11 incident in which he shot another soldier, Sean McCune, in Samarra, north of Baghdad. The military said Vegaquinones "negligently" fired a round at McCune.
According to the terms of a pre-trial plea arrangement, Vegaquinones will serve only up to 30 months, said military spokesman Major Derrick Cheng.
He said the sentence would automatically be appealed. (Editing by Sophie Hares)
BAGHDAD, July 11 (Reuters) - The U.S. military sentenced a soldier to three years in a military jail on Saturday for the accidental shooting death of a fellow soldier serving in Iraq. "Sergeant Miguel A. Vegaquinones was sentenced to three years confinement, reduction in rank to private ... and a dishonourable discharge," the U.S. military said in a statement.
Vegaquinones pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter after the Jan. 11 incident in which he shot another soldier, Sean McCune, in Samarra, north of Baghdad. The military said Vegaquinones "negligently" fired a round at McCune.
According to the terms of a pre-trial plea arrangement, Vegaquinones will serve only up to 30 months, said military spokesman Major Derrick Cheng.
He said the sentence would automatically be appealed. (Editing by Sophie Hares)
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