A US Army official told AFP that charges in relation to the killing will
likely be announced by the American military in Afghanistan “within the
next few days.”
Under the US military justice system, prosecutors draft charges to be filed
against an accused soldier, then present them to his unit commander, who
must then decide whether there is enough evidence to believe a crime was
committed.
Bales was sent to a military base in Kuwait in the wake of the killings but
was then transferred to Fort Leavenworth, where he is being kept in an
isolation cell, according to military officials.
Mr Browne, who spoke with Bales for several hours, told CBS his client would
not put forward an insanity defence in any proceedings, but could pursue the
case on the grounds of “diminished capacity” due to an emotional
breakdown.
“He’s fixated on the troops left on the ground and what they’re accusing
him of and how that might have negative ramifications on his friends and
compatriots,” Mr Browne said, describing Bales as being in shock.
“And he’s concerned that there would be retaliation that would be caused
by what people think he’s done.”
Bales also denied reports that he was drunk at the time of the attacks,
according to Mr Browne.
“He said he had a couple sips of something but he didn’t have a full
drink,” the lawyer said, adding that Bales is anxious to speak with his
family.
Mr Browne said last week that Bales had recently been under stress, which was
heightened when he witnessed a fellow soldier seriously wounded by stepping
on a mine.
The US media reported that Bales, who in addition to Browne also has a
military lawyer, and his wife were enduring financial problems.
The non-commissioned officer joined the army two months after the September
11, 2001 terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and on a
fourth hijacked airliner that crashed in a field in rural Pennsylvania.
“He will be treated exactly the same as anybody else at the Midwest
Joint Regional Correctional Facility,” Fort Leavenworth public
information officer Jeff Wingo told AFP. “He’s considered innocent
until proven guilty.”
Before trial, Bales must appear at an “Article 32” – a preliminary
hearing at which prosecutors argue for a court-martial.
Source: agencies
Related posts:
Views: 0