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Former Blackwater guards found guilty of Iraq shootings

 
An Iraqi traffic officer inspects a car destroyed by the Blackwater security convoy in Baghdad’s Nisour Square.
An Iraqi traffic officer inspects a car destroyed by the Blackwater security convoy in Baghdad’s Nisour Square.
Published Oct. 23, 2014

WASHINGTON — An infamous chapter of the Iraq War closed Wednesday as a jury convicted four former Blackwater Worldwide contractors of killing unarmed civilians in the chaotic streets of Baghdad.

The former Blackwater guards were charged with killing 14 civilians and wounding others on Sept. 16, 2007, at Baghdad's Nisour Square in what defense attorneys called a legitimate defensive action. Prosecutors called it a massacre.

"This verdict is a resounding affirmation of the commitment of the American people to the rule of law, even in times of war," U.S. Attorney Ronald Machen said.

The long-awaited verdicts, presented in a packed, second-floor courtroom, came on the 28th day of jury deliberations that began Sept. 2. The jury of eight women and four men convicted Nicholas A. Slatten of Sparta, Tenn., of first-degree murder.

Three others, Dustin L. Heard of Maryville, Tenn.; Evan S. Liberty of Rochester, N.H.; and Paul A. Slough of Keller, Texas, were convicted of multiple voluntary manslaughter charges.

They were also found guilty of multiple counts of attempting to commit voluntary manslaughter, as well as weapons charges.

"Seven years ago, these Blackwater contractors unleashed powerful sniper fire, machine guns and grenade launchers on innocent men, women and children," Machen said. "Today, they were held accountable for that outrageous attack and its devastating consequences for so many Iraqi families."

The four defendants showed no visible signs of emotion during the lengthy reading of the multiple verdicts. Once the verdicts were in and a mistrial declared on three remaining counts, U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth ordered the men immediately taken into custody, over the objections of defense attorneys.

"We believe there's a substantial likelihood that a motion for a new trial will be granted," defense attorney Brian Heberlig said. "Over the past seven years, the defendants have shown by clear and convincing evidence that they pose no risk to the community."

Another defense attorney, David Schertler, added that "this was a long and complicated trial, and there were a lot of issues raised, " which might support the defendants on appeal. Prosecutors, though, successfully argued that the former security contractors were a risk for flight in light of the long prison time they're facing.

The 10-week trial itself was a thicket of information, as prosecutors summoned 71 witnesses, 30 from Iraq. Defense attorneys called four, including former Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon England.

The diplomatically sensitive case has been closely watched in Iraq, where memories of widespread civilian casualties during the U.S.-led occupation remain vivid. Certain precincts of North Carolina have also paid close attention. The state is home to the firm, which is no longer called Blackwater.

Founded by former Navy SEAL Erik Prince in 1997, Blackwater grew rapidly during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan as part of the U.S. government's increasingly controversial reliance on private contractors. The company's behavior became notorious in some circles.

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"The Blackwater contractors saw themselves as 'above the law' and actually believed that 'they ran the place,' " a State Department official wrote in an Aug. 31, 2007, memo that was made public during the trial without naming the official.

Its reputation blackened by the Nisour Square shootings, the company changed its name to Xe Services in 2009. It has since been renamed again as Academi, with new owners and a board of directors that includes former U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft.

Another former member of the Blackwater convoy, onetime Southern California resident Jeremy P. Ridgeway, pleaded guilty to manslaughter and testified against his former colleagues. He has not been sentenced.

Slough, 35, was found guilty of 13 counts of voluntary manslaughter, 17 counts of attempted manslaughter and one firearms offense. Each voluntary manslaughter count could bring a 15-year prison sentence, and each attempted manslaughter count could bring a seven-year sentence.

Liberty, 32, was found guilty of eight counts of voluntary manslaughter, 12 counts of attempted manslaughter and one firearms offense.

Heard, 33, was found guilty of six counts of voluntary manslaughter, 11 counts of attempted manslaughter and one firearms offense.

Slatten, 30, who was said to have fired the first shot, was found guilty of first-degree murder. He faces a mandatory life sentence.

"Your task," Lamberth told the jurors, "has come to an end."