LOUISVILLE, Ky., Nov. 8 (UPI) -- A U.S. public defender entered an innocent plea Wednesday for a former U.S. soldier accused raping and killing a 14-year-old girl in Iraq in March.
At the U.S. District Court arraignment in Lousiville, Ky., Steven Green, 21, said nothing and defender Scott Wendelsdorf entered his plea, the Louisville Courier-Journal reported.
Green was discharged from the Army in May for a severe personality disorder, and along with five other soldiers is charged with the March 12 attack in which the girl was raped and killed along with three of her family members in Mahmudiya.
Among the 17 charges he was indicted for on Nov. 3 was obstruction of justice, for allegedly setting the girl's body on fire to hide evidence.
U.S. Magistrate James Moyer told Green at the hearing a life prison sentence or death was possible if he is convicted, the newspaper said.
Green's lawyers said they will meet with the Attorney General's Capital Case Committee Dec. 18 to discuss the death penalty possibility, the newspaper said.
