Capt. Robert Semrau found not guilty of murder

[Beenthere123]

I don't get it. He shot a man that was dying and eased his pain and still can go to jail for 5 years?.

https://www.thestar.com/news/canada...capt-robert-semrau-found-not-guilty-of-murder

GATINEAU—Capt. Robert Semrau is the first soldier in Canadian history to be found guilty of shooting a wounded, unarmed combatant on a battlefield.
While a four-person military judicial panel found the 36-year army captain guilty Monday under the National Defence Act of disgraceful conduct resulting from the Afghan shooting, he was found not guilty of second-degree murder, attempted murder and negligent performance of duty.

He faces up to fives years in prison for the lesser charge, and most likely a discharge from the armed forces. Sentencing is schedule for Monday.

 

[Hardon1]

His lawyers will find a way to get him off the hook. Military people take care of themselves.

 

[ahahooper]

he was acquitted and hopefully his sentence will be light.
the whole mercy-killing thing is as old as war itself.

 

[Tyrell]

Interesting. What would you (members) do if you were in his shoes?.

 

[canuckhooker]

Interesting. What would you (members) do if you were in his shoes?.

I would probably have done the same thing. If you read about the extent of the injuries and the lack of medical help in the immediate vicinity the Talib was probably already dead. He had both legs blown off, one at the hip joint, the other hanging by a thread. By all rights he should have bled out in seconds as there would be no place to put a tourniquet. He also had a fist sized hole through his abdomen from a 20mm cannon shell.

He was on a slow agonizing journey to meet Allah, that no amount of medical help would have stopped, and it is alleged that Semrau mercifully sped the journey up. I don't care how much you may hate the enemy, to leave someone to suffer an agonizing death is cruel and inhumane. I realize that some will make a religious argument that deciding on life and death is God's job. Well there is no end to that argument. Semrau did the merciful thing, and I am pretty sure the Talib would have been grateful for the act.

 

[oyster shucker]

That's the outcome i predicted.

As much as what he did was merciful. The military cannot condone mercy killing under any circumstances. There's just no way they could have acquitted him totally.

Hopefully he will just be dishonorably discharged and call it a day.