Officer: Army has evidence to try soldier in Afghans' deaths

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Officer: Army has evidence to try soldier in Afghans' deaths
By Adam Ashton | The News Tribune
Posted on Wednesday, October 6, 2010

An Army investigating officer this week recommended that a Stryker soldier accused of killing three civilians in Afghanistan should go to trial to face the charges.

Col. Thomas Molloy's recommendation does not guarantee that Spc. Jeremy Morlock will go to a court martial trial, where he could face the death penalty. That decision is up to 2nd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division commander Col. Barry Huggins, and it is expected within the next few weeks.

"A final decision has not been made," said Maj. Kathleen Turner, an Army spokeswoman at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

Morlock is one of five 5th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division soldiers at Lewis-McChord who stand accused of killing civilians on their recent deployment to southern Afghanistan. Their unit was re-flagged as the 2nd Brigade when it came home.

The men accused of murder allegedly carried out scenarios to kill Afghans in combat-like situations. They have denied the charges, and they await hearings before investigating officers like Molloy.