Army sniper sentenced to 10 years for killing unarmed Iraqi civilian

BAGHDAD (AP) A U.S. Army sniper convicted of killing an unarmed Iraqi civilian and planting evidence on his body has been sentenced to 10 years in prison.

Sergeant Evan Vela faced a possible life sentence after jurors on a court-martial panel in Baghdad found him guilty of unpremeditated murder earlier in the day.

Vela was also sentenced to forfeit all pay and allowances and will receive a dishonorable discharge. His case is automatically referred to a military appeals court.

The defense claimed the killing was an accident and that Vela was suffering from acute sleep deprivation and exhaustion at the time.

In addition to the murder-without-premeditation conviction, Vela was also found guilty of making a false official statement and of conduct prejudicial to good order and discipline.

Two other snipers charged in the case were acquitted of murder but convicted of planting evidence.

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