Pentagon probes Indiana Marine's death in Afghanistan (opium & contractors)

[IndianaGreen]

Pentagon probes Indiana Marine's death in Afghanistan

Updated: Mar 03, 2010 10:12 PM EST

Indianapolis - The U.S. military is investigating the death last month of an Indiana Marine in Afghanistan.

Pentagon spokesman Geoff Morrell says the military is looking into the circumstances surrounding the Feb. 19 shooting of 24-year-old Lance Cpl. Joshua Birchfield of Westville. He declined further comment.

Maj. Carl Redding of the Marine Corps confirmed the investigation but referred additional questions to Marine Corps officials in Afghanistan.

WLS-TV in Chicago reported Wednesday that the investigation focuses on whether Birchfield was shot by U.S.-hired private security contractors.

Morrell told the station that seven contracted security guards were detained after the incident and that investigators confiscated guns and opium from the guards' compound.

http://www.wthr.com/global/story.asp?s=12080576