US Marine enters guilty plea in Iraqi death

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif, Oct 26 (Reuters) One of eight US soldiers charged in the execution-style kidnapping and murder of an Iraqi man entered a guilty plea today to lesser charges of assault and obstruction of justice.

Pfc John Jodka became the second defendant to plead guilty in the April 26 death of 52-year-old Hashim Ibrahim Awad and testify about his role in the incident. He faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison when he is sentenced next month.

Before entering his plea Jodka, 20, told a judge at his court martial that he was one of four Marines who stayed behind when four other soldiers went into Hamdania intending to kidnap a different man suspected of terrorism.

Instead, Jodka said, the men grabbed Awad, a father of 11, bound his hands and feet, put him in a hole with a shovel and a gun and opened fire on him.

The judge must still accept the plea.

Earlier this month Navy medic Melson Bacos pleaded guilty to kidnapping and conspiracy after admitting that he helped kidnap Awad. Bacos was sentenced to 10 years in prison by will serve one year under a plea deal with prosecutors.

Reuters PB DB2341