Soldier May Testify Against Comrades in Afghan Killings, Lawyer Says

[Judi Lynn]

Source: New York Times

Soldier May Testify Against Comrades in Afghan Killings, Lawyer Says
By WILLIAM YARDLEY
Published: February 11, 2011

SEATTLE — The cases against four of the Army soldiers accused of killing three unarmed Afghan civilians for sport last year could hinge on a fifth soldier whose lawyer said he was prepared to plead guilty to the crimes and testify against the others.

The fifth soldier, Specialist Jeremy N. Morlock, 22, who is accused in all three deaths, has signed a detailed confession as part of his effort to avoid a life sentence. Specialist Morlock, who is scheduled to face a court-martial on March 3, is seeking a sentence of 24 years.

The lawyer, Geoffrey Nathan, said prosecutors had agreed to the deal, though Army officials said Friday that they would not comment on the matter. A military judge would have to approve any plea deal and could alter any sentence in it.

A copy of the so-called stipulation of fact accompanying the plea offer and obtained by The New York Times is signed by Specialist Morlock and an Army defense lawyer but not by an Army prosecutor. The Washington Post has previously reported that a plea agreement is in place.



Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/12/us/12soldiers.html?ref=middleeast

[nyy1998]

1. This was the same story about the soldiers father who claimed his son was a whistleblower

and should not be charged, right?

Or was this another case of a couple of troops killing civilians for fun?

[fascisthunter]

2. oooops.... a soldier who thinks for himself

the military didn't brainwash him enough... that will anger the right wing nazis