California medic convicted of desertion for refusing Iraq duty

“A U.S. Army medic who refused to return to Iraq because he believes war is morally wrong was convicted of desertion Tuesday and sentenced to an eight-month prison term – far short of the maximum seven-year sentence. Specialist Agustin Aguayo, 35, of California and his attorneys turned to each other and smiled after Judge Col. R. Peter Masterton read out the sentence. Aguayo, a U.S. citizen born in Guadalajara, Mexico, had been jailed for 161 days awaiting trial and his attorney, David Court, said he did not expect him to serve more than about six more weeks. ‘We’re grateful that the military judge gave a light sentence,’ Court said, adding that he believed Aguayo convinced the judge he was sincere and that ‘the judge is concerned with justice’. “