PADUCAH , Kentucky ( CNN ) -- Defense lawyers trying to save their client from the death penalty argued Tuesday that former U.S. soldier Steven Green exhibited clear symptoms of acute stress disorder in Iraq and that a military psychiatric nurse-practitioner failed to diagnose the troubled infantryman and pull him out of combat . Former U.S. soldier Steven Green has been convicted of raping and killing a 14-year-old Iraqi girl . Green was convicted last week in U.S. District Court in Kentucky of murder , rape , conspiracy and obstruction of justice . A jury found Green guilty of a raping a 14-year-old girl , then killing her and setting her body on fire to destroy evidence . Green also was found guilty of killing the girl 's parents and 6-year-old sister . Green might become the first former U.S. soldier to face the death penalty for war crimes before a civilian court , where he was tried because he had been discharged from the military before his crimes came to light . Four other former soldiers are in prison for their roles in the crimes and the cover-up that followed . His lawyers offered testimony Tuesday from a psychiatrist who testified that a mental health review `` did not meet acceptable mental health standards . '' Dr. Pablo Stewart testified that a military nurse-practitioner who examined Green some three months before the crimes `` had the answers in front of her that clearly marks all the symptoms of acute stress disorder or post-traumatic stress disorder . '' Yet rather than pull Green out of combat or follow up with additional care , Stewart testified , the nurse-practitioner prescribed sleeping pills and sent Green back to his traffic checkpoint in an area known as the `` Triangle of Death , '' one of the bloodiest areas of the Sunni-led insurgency . Earlier , defense lawyers had identified the nurse practitioner as Lt. Col. Karen Marrs , and she was called by the defense to testify . She described Green 's company as having the worst morale she 'd ever seen , and she said the entire battalion was `` red , '' meaning it was `` mission incapable '' -- the troops were `` hostile , vengeful and needed increased control and command , '' without which there was a greater likelihood of misconduct . The psychiatric nurse said it was important for soldiers to return to duty , not only to keep up troop numbers , but also because `` soldiers evacuated prematurely have a hard time fitting in . '' Marrs said procedures were followed , but it was difficult to keep precise records partly because soldier interviews took place under difficult conditions , in one case in a concrete structure that had a hole in the ceiling from a mortar shell . She said troops often were counseled that `` having sad and angry feelings are common , '' and that `` you are n't a monster for having these thoughts in monstrous conditions . '' At the time of Green 's arrest , he told FBI agents , `` You probably think I 'm a monster . '' Throughout the testimony Tuesday , Green repeatedly glanced at the jury . He appeared pale , wearing a light-blue button-down shirt and pressed khakis . He smiled at times while talking to his lawyers . He seemed moved by the testimony of his uncle , Greg Simolke , who broke down several times while speaking about his nephew . `` ( Steve ) was one of these kids , everyone knows them , no matter what they do , nothing works out , like he had a black cloud hanging over him , '' Simolke said . Green lived with his uncle , an obstetrician , in North Carolina for a few months during his senior year in high school , according to testimony . He moved back to Midland , Texas , where he was originally from , after a school counselor told him he was so far behind that he would have to take sophomore-level courses . `` I do n't know if any of us realized how far behind he was , '' said Simolke , who went on to describe how proud he was when his nephew finished his military training . `` To me , that was a huge accomplishment for Steve , '' Simolke said before breaking down in tears . Testimony in the penalty phase of the case began Monday .
Former U.S. soldier Steven Green convicted in rape of Iraqi teen , murder of her family . Green 's defense lawyers trying to spare their client the death penalty . They argue nurse-practitioner failed to diagnose clear case of acute stress disorder . Comment: