Soldier accused in Afghan killings will face court martial

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Soldier accused in Afghan killings will face court martial
By Matt Misterek | Tacoma News Tribune
Posted on Friday, October 15, 2010

Spc. Jeremy Morlock, the first accused Afghanistan civilian killer to face charges in a military courtroom so far, will go to a full court-martial at Joint Base Lewis-McChord near Tacoma and could face life in prison without possibility of parole.

The joint base announced today that the commanding general, Maj. Gen. John Johnson, decided this week to move forward with the case against Morlock of Wasilla after reviewing the charges and evidence and after considering the recommendation of the brigade commander, Col. Barry Huggins, as well as that of the Staff Judge Advocate.

It was one of the last decisions that Johnson made as the commander of the local Army base. Maj. Gen. Curtis "Mike" Scaparrotti assumed command in a ceremony today.

According to a statement from Lewis-McChord: "The case will now come under the control of a military judge who will arraign the accused, and set dates for potential motion hearings and the trial. No trial date has been set as of today."

Morlock, 22, is accused of joining four fellow soldiers from the 5th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division in a conspiracy to commit premeditated murder against Afghan civilians during the brigade's recent deployment to Southern Afghanistan. Morlock allegedly had a role in all three reported murders.