U.S. soldier gets 18 years in killing of Iraqi detainees

FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. - A 101st Airborne Division soldier was sentenced yesterday to 18 years in prison for killing a detainee and taking part in the slayings of two others in Iraq last year.

Pfc. Corey R. Clagett, 22, was one of four soldiers accused in the detainees' deaths during a May 9 raid on the Muthana chemical complex in Samarra, about 60 miles north of Baghdad.

In an agreement with prosecutors, Clagett of Moncks Corner, S.C., pleaded guilty to charges of murder, attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder and conspiracy to obstruct justice. Prosecutors dropped a second obstruction charge and charges of disrespecting an officer and threatening.

The soldiers first told investigators that they had shot the detainees because they were attempting to flee - a story they now say they made up - and that commanders had given them orders to kill all military-age males on the mission.

Two of the other three soldiers, Spec. William B. Hunsaker and Spec. Juston R. Graber, have changed their stories and pleaded guilty. The squad leader, Staff Sgt. Raymond Girouard, is awaiting his court-martial.