Midland to Mahmoudiyah

In the past when Midland, Texas has made the national news it has generally been for good things such as being the hometown of President George W. Bush, the rescue of Baby Jessica or when a local athlete has signed with a professional team. This was not the case on July 3, 2006 when Midland native Steven D. Green was charged with rape and murder in Mahmoudiyah, Iraq.

Young men and women enlist in the military to protect our freedoms and serve our country. But as we all know war is heinous. These men and women are subjected to fear everyday. Steven D. Green was sent to an area in Baghdad known as the "Triangle of Death." It has been reported that more than 40% of soldiers, patrolling this area, have been treated for emotional and mental anxiety.

It is alleged on March 12, 2006 Steven D. Green raped and murdered Abeer Qassim Hanza along with her family. He was honorably discharged from the military in April 2006 due to an "antisocial personality disorder." The March incident came to light in June 2006 after 3 other soldiers from the same battalion were tortured and killed by insurgents. U.S. Officials have said there is no evidence that these incidents are related, but there is speculation that the torture and murders of David Basineau, Kristian Manchaca & Thomas Tucker were in retaliation of the rape and murders allegedly committed by Steven D. Green and his 5 co-conspirators. An Al Queda linked group relased a video on 7-11-2006 confirming this speculation and said "revenge for our sister who was dishonored by a soldier of the same brigade."

When a person has been diagnosed with an antisocial personality disorder and is subjected to violence, fear, and death as was Steven D. Green can this be used in his defense? If he is convicted will this diagnosis be considered in his sentencing? Will this diagnosis possibly spare his life?

As the trial of Steven D. Green gets underway, and his victims are remembered, and his actions are chronicled in a court of law, I will also remember Steven D. Green as a casualty of war.