US Marine found guilty of urinating on corpses

CAMP LEJEUNE, North Carolina (AP) - A United States (US) Marine pleaded guilty in a court-martial on Wednesday to urinating on the bodies of dead Taleban fighters and posing for photos with their corpses in one of a string of embarrassing episodes for US forces in Afghanistan.

Staff Sergeant Edward W. Deptola pleaded guilty to the desecration of remains and posing for unofficial photographs with human casualties. He also admitted failing to properly supervise junior Marines.

Deptola and another Marine based at Camp LeJeune, North Carolina, were charged last year after video surfaced showing four Marines in full combat gear urinating on the bodies of three dead Afghans in July 2011. In the video, one of the Marines looked down at the bodies and quipped, "Have a good day, buddy."

Staff Sgt Joseph W. Chamblin pleaded guilty to similar charges last month. Chamblin was sentenced to 30 days confinement, reduced in rank, fined and ordered to forfeit part of his pay for six months. Three other Marines were given administrative punishments for their roles in the matter.