I pit U.S. army Sgt. Evan Vela.

The BBQ Pit
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BAGHDAD – U.S. Army Sgt. Evan Vela stood stone-faced Sunday as a court-martial jury sentenced him to 10 years in prison for fatally shooting an Iraqi man.

Vela, who had faced a maximum life sentence, was convicted earlier in the day of murder, making a false statement and planting a weapon in relation to the May 11 killing. The Army withheld his pay and benefits over the death of the Iraqi, who had stumbled into the hide-out of Vela’s five-man sniper team. Vela, 24, will receive a dishonorable discharge.

This is my first pit so go easy on me.

You killed an unarmed father in cold blood and tried to hide that you had done so. This man’s children will never see their father again, they will be scared for the rest of their lives. For gods sake they cant even walk past their fathers room anymore.

Sure in a way justice was served, but one day in ten years you will see your family again and you will live life the way you used to, but the man you killed will not. You bring shame to our Nation and to our Nations military. I hope the consequence of your actions haunt you for the rest of your life. I understand in the limited way that a person who has never been to war can understand that war is hell but you murdered a man and there is simply no excuse.

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Isn’t it kind of funny how it’s basically a metaphor for the entire Iraq situation, though? It’s like we’re living in literature.

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What do think would be a just punishment?

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Maybe your pit focus should be on Sgt. Michael Hensley, who appears to be guilty of giving the order and getting a slap on the wrist for planting evidence.

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I think the punishment was just the court did what it believed should be done and I am in no position to second guess them, its just that the whole situation leaves a bad taste in my mouth. I suppose I should have mentioned Hensley because ordering a man to murder and then covering it up is a terrible thing to do however I don’t think there is any excuse for obeying that order. I must admit that not following the order would have most likely been very very bad for him. I’m just so disgusted with the whole situation that I don’t really know what to think.

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I was just curious. It doesn’t seem like taking a mans life is something that can be quanitifed by a certain number of years in prison but I suppose it beats the alternative.

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I hope I’m never in a position where the intent to save the lives of the men in my care becomes a moral dilemma.

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I would say there pretty much isn’t anything we can do that would be justice. Punishment for murder, rape and the like in my eyes is entirely deterrent.

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If Vela’s actions were murder, then Hensley himself confessed to murder and should be serving at least 10 years. I don’t understand how he can get anything less.

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Seems like your anger should be at the court-martialing group also. They’re the ones who handed down the 10 year sentence you despise.

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I could be angry and the court martialing group but I don’t know the reasons that went into their decision making.