A Camp Pendleton-based Marine corporal has pleaded not guilty to kidnapping and murdering an Iraqi man in Hamdania last April. KPBS Reporter Erik Anderson has details.
Corporal Trent Thomas is one of seven Marines and a Navy Corpsman charged with snatching an Iraqi man from his home, killing him, and then working to cover up the crime. Thomas had little to say during the military proceedings. He confirmed his identity, answered a few questions and entered not guilty pleas on all counts.
The pleas from Thomas come one day after a fourth member of the squad reached a plea agreement with prosecutors. All of the members of the squad who’ve reached deals, exchanged their testimony for lighter punishment.
Previous testimony points to Thomas as the marine who fired shots into the victim’s chest. The corporal’s attorney says his client will eventually be found not guilty. However, the lawyer conceded the testimony against his client will make defending him more difficult. Erik Anderson, KPBS News.
