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U.S. Soldier Faces Hearing In Killings Of Iraqi Boys


A U.S. soldier is due in a military court on charges that he deliberately killed two deaf teenage boys as they herded cattle in Iraq seven years ago.

Sergeant First Class Michael Barbera has been charged with premeditated murder. He faces a mandatory life sentence if convicted.

His preliminary hearing is due to begin on April 23 at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in northwest Washington state.

The U.S. Army has released few details about the allegations against him.

The killings -- which took place in March 2007 -- were documented in an investigation by a Pittsburgh newspaper.

The newspaper said soldiers who served with Barbera had reported the slayings and remained troubled that he hadn't been prosecuted.
Based on reporting by AP, NPR, and "The Huffington Post"

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