Ky. trial underway for ex-soldier charged with raping girl, killing family in Iraq

Ex-soldier’s Ky. trial for Iraq crime begins

PADUCAH, Ky. — Opening arguments are under way in Kentucky in the trial of a former soldier charged with raping and killing a 14-year-old girl in Iraq and killing her family.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Skaret outlined the prosecution’s case to a jury Monday. Defense arguments were to follow in the trial of former Army soldier Steven Dale Green in federal court in Paducah.

Green is a former member of the Fort Campbell, Ky.-based 101st Airborne Division. Other soldiers have been prosecuted in military court for their involvement in the March 2006 attack.

Green, of Midland, Texas, has pleaded not guilty. He is being tried in civilian court because he was discharged from the Army before he was charged.

He could face the death penalty if convicted.