Speeding Kills.

Especially through military checkpoints.
If the intelligence officer had used his head he wouldn't have been shot. I am sure the exuberance for freeing the reporter probably had his adrenalin running full speed. It really is too bad his brain didn't keep up.

Alan, Jefferson City, MO

"You have a warning line, you have a danger line, and you have a kill line.

“Anyone inside 100 meters (109 yards) is already in the danger zone ... and you’ve got to take them out."

Anywho who can think beyond a knee jerk reaction should realize just how incriminating this sounds.

Is everyone involved in this incident Italian or of Italian descent? Was there something going on beyond the surface?

Don, Sioux Falls, SD

How is it that an Italian Official could so blatantly disregard the rules of the safety check points and just speed right through it?? Those check points are placed there for a reason. Apparently they were speeding through it not adhering to those rules, thus taking their own chances with the US soldier. How can you blame the guy (US soldier) for firing? A car speeding through, for all he knew it was a terrorist. Get real!!!
Sorry Italy.... but sometimes you gotta take responsibility for your own stupidity!!
PS.... I am an Italian citizen (born and raised) and now live in the US. Italian government is not always known to make wise political decisions. This certainly proves that point.

Giaquinto, Seattle, USA, WA

As stated by the US soldier: "You have a warning line, you have a danger line, and you have a kill line.

“Anyone inside 100 meters (109 yards) is already in the danger zone ... and you’ve got to take them out."

If that is standard operating procedure and he folloed those procedures then the driver of the car is at fault.

Greg, Denver , Colorado

Cancel Italy and Italian products.

John, Seattle, WA

“Italian government is despicably responsible” As an ex U.S. Army soldier it sickens me to see, that once again the US Government is passing the buck by letting this innocent Soldier be the “fall guy” just like they did in the “guantanamo bay prison scandal” What an outrage, under what authority can the Italian government try an American solder? The Geneva Conventions act was not violated, therefore they have no authority. Why join the Military? Your chain of command will let you be the “fall guy” the second the pressure is on, most Americans and almost all foreigners despise you, are underpaid overworked. And when its all over there is nothing to show for your service but your DD214, honor, pride and mabey just mabey some VA benefits. Too bad all that counts for nothing in the civilian world

Jose, Los Angeles, California

Finally someone shows the courage to stand up to Americans. They are killing and kidnapping anyone they see as dangerous.
What if those are not terrorists? Who is guilty?
Apparently nobody is, as Britons have learned when their soldiers where killed by "friendly fire".

RATMashine, Novi Sad, Serbia

A citizan of the world's most powerful nation ruled by the industrialized world's Robert Mogabee, I think that we are about to understand why the Greeks were so fond of dramas about hubris.

maybe he can learn to fly on the way down..............I think not.

barry, port orchard, usa wa

Viv, London.

Cheers to you. There arent many folks who see the world as it is: good versus evil.

johnny american, anytown, USA

This so called "TRIAL" is irrelevant USA will never give a hero to a forgin nation, so WHO CARES

George, riverside, Rhode Island

Viv, you do talk nonsense.
Pres Reagan did a deal with the Ayatollah to get US diplomats from the Tehran embassy. It's standard operating procedure. Don't believe the propoganda about "we don't deal with terrorists". It done all the time.

JEFF SANDERS, Braintree, Essex.

I'm tired of whiney European attacks on our troops. Try living out in the war zone, then complain. Our satellites caught the Italians speeding toward the checkpoint.

Tony Harkin, Copperas Cove, Texas

Unfortunatly I think the people of Italy wants to put the U.S. on trial since they don't agree with their foreign policy, especially as it relates to the war in Iraq. The solider is meerly a puppet in this fight.

I do however agree with his poor widow that "we need to know what happened that night".

Nicole, Darien,

"trigger happy" is easy to say for someone safely nestled in their MK flat.

Dan, Minneapolis, MN, USA

It is unrealistic for the world to condemn American soldiers defending themselves while at war and in this circumstance. While we all are saddened by the death of this Italian patriot, the United States military makes every attempt to protect diplomacy, life and human rights.

Regan, Aviano,

Friendly fire accounts for more casualties than most people think. It's very plausible that the car had passed the point of no return and that the Marine had to open fire.

Jake, Oxford, United States / MI

A trial in absentia is purely symbolic but it is quite appropriate, in my opinion. Italy has every right to do whatever it wants.My country has dodged accountability for operating secret prisons, rendition, torture, murder of civilians, etc. It has attempted to cover up friendly fire deaths, retaliation killings of civilians, mismanagement of funds, abuse of friendly nations, and much, much worse. The CIA case in Italy is a prime example - the case is in the news but the US has no comment. No comment about secret prisons and the abuse of innocent men it abducted off the streets and handed over to foriegn countries for torture. Disgraceful. The Haditha matter, this situation and many others are why I want us to bring our young people home safe and do everything we can to help the Iraqi people, assuming that they might want our help. We have only succeeded in insuring that Sept 11 would be just the begining by our indiscriminate and jackbooted aproach to addressing that horrific incident

Nobody Knows, Kona, Hawaii, USA

Seperate incidents---read closer.

D, FLA, USA

Italy is trying a US Marine for "murdering" their intelligence chief? What a joke. It was the Italians fault in the first place for not taking the time to notify US authorities in the area of their movements. And we all know how people drive in Italy, don't we? How much you want to bet that Lorenzo, or what ever his name is was flooring it towards the US Check point and didn't even think that maybe that would cause alarm?

Travers , Dallas, USA

Being a soldier does not give you carte blanche to murder anyone you want. Suck it up USA, how many more friendly fire incidents do we need. You have killed Canadians, and blame your technology. Well USA military is losing the war on terrorism, just like their war on drugs. What a bunch of
losers, go look to your Christ for help now.

Dale, Vancouver, BC Canada

Give the trigger happy american a nice big plate of justice!!

Adam Webb, Uk, MK

No good trying to cover up the fact you paid a ransom to terrorists to free this woman and were trying to cover THAT up by not stopping at a checkpoint. The Italian government are responsible for this mans death.

Viv, London, England