Eliza Browning
AC360° Associate Producer
Tonight we continue our special investigation into a 2007 execution in Baghdad. Three decorated U.S. Army sergeants shot and killed four Iraqi detainees their platoon had taken into custody earlier that day. The soldiers are now serving prison terms at Fort Leavenworth. During interrogations, the soldiers blamed military policy for making it too hard to detail suspected insurgents.
Tonight, we’ll show you what the Army doesn’t want released – a startling confession by one of the three sergeants convicted of killing the Iraqi detainees. His confession is part of more than 23 hours of Army interrogation videotapes obtained exclusively by CNN. On the tape, Leahy admits to shooting two of the detainees. It is graphic and compelling. We also interview his wife, who says her husband is a good person and does not belong in prison. Don’t miss Abbie Boudreau’s special investigation tonight.
President Obama concludes the Chinese leg of his Asian tour today by meeting with Premier Wen Jiabao and touring the Great Wall of China. He departs for South Korea and will hold his third summit with President Lee Myung-bak where they will undoubtedly discuss the issue of North Korea and a range of other issues. When the President arrives in South Korea he will be greeted by a welcome ceremony and will answer questions in a town hall. We’ll have live coverage of his remarks during our show tonight. What importance do you place on President Obama’s trip to Asia? In an interview with CNN’s Ed Henry, Obama discussed a range of issues – from the situation in Afghanistan to running for reelection to whether or not he will read Sarah Palin’s new book. Watch the interview here.
Today could be the day that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid will introduce a hotly anticipated health care reform bill to the Senate Floor. Reid says he is still waiting for a cost estimate from the Congressional Budget Office, which could be delivered today. It’s still uncertain whether or not moderate Democrats will support the bill, which means that even if the Senate votes this week to begin debate there is no guarantee there will be a final vote on the bill itself. We’ll follow the latest developments tonight.
And three years ago, Heather Ellis, a young black schoolteacher from southeast Missouri, switched checkout lines at a Wal-Mart store. The move touched off what Ellis refers to as a racially-charged dispute with white customers and authorities. Ellis is charged with assaulting police officers, resisting authorities and disturbing the peace and could face up to 15 years in prison. Testimony may begin by this afternoon. Gary Tuchman is in the courtroom following the trial and will report on the latest developments tonight.
What else are you following? Let us know and see you at 10 p.m. ET!
| Melissa |
November 18th, 2009 10:27 am ET Its premeditated murder. Therefore they deserve to be where they are. It doesn't matter why they did it. |
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| Cindy |
November 18th, 2009 10:44 am ET I can see both sides of the killings of the detainees that the soldiers did in Baghdad. Here you have these soldiers living in very dangerous conditions and not knowing if the next minute will be their last. That has to have them all hyped up to begin with. Then they see that most of the people they capture are let go and probably go right back to trying to kill them. So when they captured these 4 men they let their fears, anxieties and maybe even hate get the best of them and they took matters into their own hands. I get where they are coming from there. It has to be very frustrating to watch all their work go down the drain. And also extremely hard seeing their friends die and wondering is it all for nothing since they barely keep any detainees that they capture. But in the same sense they should have known better! They know you don't kill detainees after that have surrendered and are cuffed and blindfolded. Yet they did anyway. So IMO they do deserve to be in prison. They went against the laws and should pay for that. Sure these men were terrorists and would probably had killed them if the tables were turned but we have to be the examples and do what is right. Cindy...Ga. |
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| Michelle D. Fonthill ,Ontario |
November 18th, 2009 11:19 am ET Good Morning 360 Team I really liked the first part of the story Investaigations of the army killing the Iraqi soliders.It must be hell for them ,but at the same time i feel it was within thier rights to take lives of these soliders they could have been let go once they got to the station .It's hard to imagine what our soilders are going through each day as thye risk thie rlives for us it's tough to make that choice . I look forward to hearing the second part tonight as thier family tells thier story . Thanks for the buzz |
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