A United States Army soldier serving in Iraq was sentenced to 90 years in prison for the gang rape of a 14-year-old Iraqi girl, and the murder of her and her family.Spc. James P. Barker was one of five soldiers accused of involvement in the March 2006 crime, and the first to be tried.

Barker was allegedly suffering from the effects of alcohol, sleep deprivation and acute stress syndrome when another soldier herded the girl’s mother, father and four-year-old sister into a bedroom while Barker and a third soldier raped 14-year-old Abeer al-Janabi.

Each of the family members was then shot in the head.

“Part of the role of the military judicial system is to preserve discipline within the armed forces,” said John Motsinger, visiting professor of justice and policy studies. “Crimes of this nature contravene discipline and can make the military’s job more difficult by alienating the local population.”

“The question we have to ask is: why, if the army is saying this crime was caused by stress, do we have people in a situation that so traumatizes them that they are committing suchdisturbing and tragic acts,” said president of the Guilford chapter of the National Organization for Women Katie Yow.

The Washington Post reported that the attack was premeditated, and that the soldiers involved began planning the rape of the young girl after visiting her home several weeks before the actual crime took place.

“Since the purpose of the law is to punish crimes fairly, it is only fitting that when someone with malice and forethought has committed a crime, that they be more severely punished,” said Wesley Corning, senior criminal justice and political science double major.

Barker was also found guilty of arson for an attempt to try to cover up the crime by burning the girl’s body.

“To live (in Iraq), to survive there, I became angry and mean. The mean part of me made me strong on patrols. It made me brave in fire fights,” Barker said in his closing statement during the trial, according to the Associated Press. “I loved my friends, my fellow soldiers and my leaders, but I began to hate everyone else in Iraq.”

The trial took place in a military court, which is slightly different from a civilian court.

“The civilian trial occurs before a jury of people who know nothing about the case and who cannot find a way to get out of jury duty, while the military trial occurs before a panel whose members include officers and enlisted personnel who are familiar with military process, discipline and stresses,” said Motsinger.

Barker pleaded guilty and also agreed to testify against the other soldiers involved in order to avoid the death penalty.

“I do not ask anyone to forgive me today,” Barker tearfully told the judge according to the Associated Press. “I don’t know how that would be possible after what I have done. I do ask the Iraqi people not to blame my brothers still fighting in Iraq.” Barker will be eligible for parole in 20 years.

“Generally I think this soldier got a fitting sentence, and one that while more severe than that which a civilian would receive,” said Corning. “It is appropriate for a soldier meant to be protecting these people who have committed such an egregious crime against.”

The Washington Post reports that the total number of reported cases of sexual assault involving army personnel increased 19 percent from 1999 to 2002. The number of reported rapes increased by 25 percent during the same period. ?”The numbers of women serving in the armed forces that report being raped by fellow service people is outrageous,” said Yow. “Hopefully this case will set a precedent for other people to be held accountable for such actions against civilians, andit also needs toprovoke some preventative measures on the part of military leaders.