O-2 on trial thought detainee supplied bombs

[unhappycamper]

O-2 on trial thought detainee supplied bombs
By Kristin M. Hall - The Associated Press
Posted : Tuesday Feb 24, 2009 7:05:39 EST

FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. — After a roadside bomb killed two soldiers in his platoon, 1st Lt. Michael Behenna was not the same platoon leader.

Intent on finding out who was behind the explosion last April, Behenna soon became convinced that a local Iraqi named Ali Mansour Mohammed was supplying insurgents with explosives that were used in the attack, his attorney said.

During opening statements Monday in Behenna’s trial in Mohammed’s death, a military prosecutor said that instead of releasing the detainee as ordered after he was interrogated, Behenna took him out to a secluded railroad culvert and shot him in the head and chest.

Capt. Erwin Roberts told a military panel during opening statements Monday that Behenna justified his killing to other soldiers by saying Mohammed was a bad man and that he had no remorse because he lost two soldiers.

A defense attorney for Behenna said he was a good leader and had a good relationship with local Iraqi leaders in the area near their base near Beiji, about 155 miles north of Baghdad.


Rest of article at: http://armytimes.com/news/2009/02/ap_soldiercharged_022409/%2e