Interesting conclusion, and I wish the Ayala and Loyd families all the best as they try to heal and move on from this heart wrenching deal. –Matt
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This undated photo made available Thursday, May 7, 2009 by the U.S. District Court shows military contractors Don Ayala, left, and Paula Loyd. On Friday, May 8, 2009, a judge must decide what is appropriate justice for Ayala, convicted of manslaughter while serving as a military contractor in Afghanistan. (AP Photo/US District Court)
Ex-contractor given probation in slaying of Afghan
By MATTHEW BARAKAT
ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP) — A former military contractor was sentenced Friday to probation for shooting and killing a handcuffed prisoner in Afghanistan.
Don Ayala of New Orleans pleaded guilty to manslaughter charges that normally would carry up to eight years in prison. But U.S. District Senior Judge Claude Hilton decided probation was warranted under the circumstances. The man whom Ayala shot had set fire to one of Ayala’s colleagues minutes before the shooting.
After the Nov. 4 attack on anthropologist Paula Loyd, Ayala helped subdue the man, Abdul Salam. When Ayala learned the extent of Loyd’s burns, he shot Salam at close range.
Ayala was sentenced to five years on probation and a $12,500 fine.
Ayala, 46, initially was charged with murder — the first military contractor charged with the crime while serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.