Ex-GI acquitted of murder in death of soldier

[unhappycamper]

Ex-GI acquitted of murder in death of soldier
The Associated Press
Posted : Wednesday Nov 19, 2008 22:17:13 EST

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — A jury acquitted a former Fort Carson soldier of first-degree murder in the slaying of a fellow Iraq war veteran but convicted him on a lesser charge of conspiracy to commit murder.

Louis Bressler, 25, was convicted Wednesday in the Dec. 1 slaying of Kevin Shields.

Jurors acquitted Bressler of first-degree murder after deliberation, first-degree murder in furtherance of a felony and aggravated robbery.

Bressler’s lawyer argued that no physical evidence linked him to Shields’ slaying and that two co-defendants, also Iraq war vets, conspired to frame him. The co-defendants have reached plea agreements in Shields’ slaying and are serving prison terms.

Bressler faced a mandatory life sentence if convicted of first-degree murder. Conspiracy to commit murder carries a standard sentence of eight to 24 years in prison.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/11/ap_soldier_slaying_111908/%2e