Article 32 ends for accused Green Beret

[unhappycamper]

Article 32 ends for accused Green Beret
By Estes Thompson - The Associated Press
Posted : Friday Aug 15, 2008 15:44:32 EDT

FORT BRAGG, N.C. — Evidence against a Green Beret accused of killing an Afghan civilian and cutting off his ear is weak, a defense lawyer argued Friday, adding that his client is a victim of bad blood among members of his Special Forces team.

But prosecutors said during closing arguments in the Article 32 hearing for Master Sgt. Joseph D. Newell, 38, of Tecumseh, Mich., that there is enough evidence to warrant a court-martial. Newell is accused of premeditated murder in the March 5 death of a civilian he questioned during a convoy.

Defense attorney Todd Conormon began his argument pleading for Newell’s release from pretrial confinement. Newell has been in custody since he was arrested at a fire base in Afghanistan near Hyderabad on March 20. He now is held at the brig at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C.

“This is a hero. This man is still being treated like a terrorist,” Conormon said, pointing out that Newell is a 20-year veteran who was regarded as a “warrior” by his men. The defense has requested his release by the commander of the 3rd Special Force Group at Fort Bragg, but Conormon said he hasn’t heard anything.

Conormon said Newell is allowed to leave his cell for two hours a day, while another solider accused of a triple murder is allowed to live out of jail at the North Carolina post. He referred to Master Sgt. Timothy Hennis, who is assigned to a desk job at Bragg while awaiting trial on three charges of premeditated murder in the May 1985 deaths of a mother and her two daughters.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/08/ap_newell_hearing_081308/