US pilots unlawfully killed British soldier
darkcrow
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http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6449227.stm
'Friendly fire' killing unlawful
Mrs Hull said she was ready to move on
Susan Hull reaction
The death of a UK soldier when a US pilot fired on his convoy in Iraq was unlawful, a coroner has ruled.
The "friendly fire" incident near Basra in March 2003 which killed Lance Corporal Matty Hull, 25, amounted to a criminal act, Andrew Walker said.
The coroner said the death was "entirely avoidable" and L/Cpl Hull's widow said the verdict was "right".
The Ministry of Defence apologised for a delay in releasing video footage from the cockpit of the US A-10 plane.
'Painful time'
In delivering his verdict, Mr Walker said: "The attack on the convoy amounted to an assault.
"It was unlawful because there was no lawful reason for it and in that respect it was criminal."
Four other soldiers were injured in the attack near Basra
No American witnesses gave evidence at the inquest and the coroner was critical of the failure of the US authorities to co-operate.
"I believe that the full facts have not yet come to light," said the Oxford assistant deputy coroner.
The US pilots should have flown lower to confirm identities before opening fire, he added.
"I don't think this was a case of honest mistake."
Speaking after the verdict, widow Susan Hull said she felt a great sense of relief that it was over and it had confirmed that her husband's death was "entirely avoidable".
"I think all of our family feel it was the right verdict. It was what we'd waited four years to hear."
She said she was now prepared to "draw the line" on the event.
"It's been a long and painful time and we need to move forward."
How pilots fired on 'friendlies'
Is 'fog of war' an excuse?
But she said the lack of co-operation from the US was "very disappointing".
Afterwards, lawyer Geraldine McCool said the verdict did not suggest there would be a prosecution of the US pilot and the Hull family would not be calling for one.
The Ministry of Defence said it was "very sorry for confusion and upset" caused by the handling of the US cockpit tape.
The recording was not initially shown to the inquest, but the US authorities only agreed for it to be released after the footage was leaked to the Sun newspaper.
An MoD spokesman said: "This inquest has highlighted the need for a more coherent approach to the management of documentation and evidence."
He said a team has been set up to liaise with coroners and bereaved families and to ensure documents are made available quickly to inquests.
The cockpit video
'Friendly fire' transcript
The Hull family believes key information was blacked out of a US Friendly Fire Investigation Board Report given to the coroner investigating his death.
Mrs Hull had directly appealed to US President George W Bush to give the coroner the information.
L/Cpl Hull, who was from the Household Cavalry, died from multiple injuries inside his blazing Scimitar tank despite efforts by colleagues to save him.
Four other soldiers travelling in the convoy of light armoured vehicles were also injured in the incident on 28 March 2003 near Basra.
'Friendly fire' killing unlawful
Mrs Hull said she was ready to move on
Susan Hull reaction
The death of a UK soldier when a US pilot fired on his convoy in Iraq was unlawful, a coroner has ruled.
The "friendly fire" incident near Basra in March 2003 which killed Lance Corporal Matty Hull, 25, amounted to a criminal act, Andrew Walker said.
The coroner said the death was "entirely avoidable" and L/Cpl Hull's widow said the verdict was "right".
The Ministry of Defence apologised for a delay in releasing video footage from the cockpit of the US A-10 plane.
'Painful time'
In delivering his verdict, Mr Walker said: "The attack on the convoy amounted to an assault.
"It was unlawful because there was no lawful reason for it and in that respect it was criminal."
Four other soldiers were injured in the attack near Basra
No American witnesses gave evidence at the inquest and the coroner was critical of the failure of the US authorities to co-operate.
"I believe that the full facts have not yet come to light," said the Oxford assistant deputy coroner.
The US pilots should have flown lower to confirm identities before opening fire, he added.
"I don't think this was a case of honest mistake."
Speaking after the verdict, widow Susan Hull said she felt a great sense of relief that it was over and it had confirmed that her husband's death was "entirely avoidable".
"I think all of our family feel it was the right verdict. It was what we'd waited four years to hear."
She said she was now prepared to "draw the line" on the event.
"It's been a long and painful time and we need to move forward."
How pilots fired on 'friendlies'
Is 'fog of war' an excuse?
But she said the lack of co-operation from the US was "very disappointing".
Afterwards, lawyer Geraldine McCool said the verdict did not suggest there would be a prosecution of the US pilot and the Hull family would not be calling for one.
The Ministry of Defence said it was "very sorry for confusion and upset" caused by the handling of the US cockpit tape.
The recording was not initially shown to the inquest, but the US authorities only agreed for it to be released after the footage was leaked to the Sun newspaper.
An MoD spokesman said: "This inquest has highlighted the need for a more coherent approach to the management of documentation and evidence."
He said a team has been set up to liaise with coroners and bereaved families and to ensure documents are made available quickly to inquests.
The cockpit video
'Friendly fire' transcript
The Hull family believes key information was blacked out of a US Friendly Fire Investigation Board Report given to the coroner investigating his death.
Mrs Hull had directly appealed to US President George W Bush to give the coroner the information.
L/Cpl Hull, who was from the Household Cavalry, died from multiple injuries inside his blazing Scimitar tank despite efforts by colleagues to save him.
Four other soldiers travelling in the convoy of light armoured vehicles were also injured in the incident on 28 March 2003 near Basra.
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Comments
RIP Matty Hull etc....
British Army soldier...
Trained truly to improvise, adapt and overcome....
Sad..
Mate according to British press this pilot got a medal and now trains recruits on strafing runs.....
Work that out...
he did strafe matty and co pretty well i guess...