Murder of Muhamad Husain Kadir

Private First Class Edward L. Richmond was an U.S. Army soldier serving in Iraq who was convicted of manslaughter in relation to the death of Muhamad Husain Kadir, an Iraqi prisoner. Richmond was sentenced to three years in prison and a dishonorable discharge, as well as pay forfeiture and a reduction in rank.

Incident

Richmond was a member of the Headquarters Company, of the 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment (United States), a unit of the 25th Infantry Division (United States)'s 2nd Brigade Combat Team. On February 28, 2004 Richmond's unit was conducting a raid in a village near Taal Al Jai. Orders were to detain all male members of the village, and Sergeant Jeffrey Waruch described observing Kadir, a cowherd, with Richmond, and that Kadir resisted being handcuffed. Waruch then said that he observed Richmond shooting Kadir in the back of the head.

Two unidentified government witnesses provided observations of what was believed to be Richmond's motives. One claimed that Richmond was overheard talking about killing Iraqis, the other that Richmond asked to kill Kadir prior to the orders to detain villagers. Richmond claimed that he never saw Kadir handcuffed, and was defending Sergent Waruch when Kadir was shot, claiming that Waruch ordered Richmond to "shoot him if he moves."

Richmond was convicted of manslaughter, and sentenced to three years in prison and a dishonorable discharge, as well as pay forfeiture and a reduction in rank. He was released from prison on parole after serving two years of his sentence, an appeal was pending as of 2006.