Master Sgt. John Hatley was convicted of the murder of four Iraqi detainees. The April 15, 2009, verdict stems from the Spring 2007 slaying in which Hatley and four other soldiers killed four Iraqi insurgents, who were bound and blindfolded at the time.BBC News: US Soldier Guilty of Iraq Murders

On April 16, 2009, John Hatley was sentenced to life in prison, had his rank reduced to private, forfeited all of his pay and will received a dishonorable discharge. He will be eligible for parole in 20 years.The Associated Press: US Army soldier sentenced to life in prison (April 16, 2009)

Prosecutors allege that the four Iraqis were detained by Hatley and three other men in the same unit in April of 2007 after a shootout. Rather than following military procedure, three of the men shot the bound and blindfolded prisoners in the head, then dumped the bodies in a canal in Baghdad's West Rasheed area, all under the supervision of Hatley. Prosecutors also claim Hatley and the men killed the detainees as retribution for the deaths of their fellow 172nd Infantry Brigade soldiers.BBC News: US Soldier Guilty of Iraq Murders

In Hatley's court-martial, which began in April of 2009, defense attorneys argued that there was no physical evidence linking Hatley to the murders. Sergeant First Class Joseph Mayo however testified that Hatley was very much involved, as part of a plea deal Mayo had secured the previous month for his part in the same crimes. Sgt. Michael Leahy and Sgt. Charles Quigley were also previously convicted for their involvement.Reuters: U.S. Sergeant Sentenced to Life for Iraq Killings