Why did they feel thay had to do that?
Because the rules of engagement are so stupid that if you shoot the enemy you have to worry about being charged with a crime
The geneva copnvention clearly states that any enembay combatant out of uniform can be summarily executed. Hasn’t one of the attorneys involved thought to bring that up?
This guy was an NCO...a leader. That means you lead, and you follow your orders. You don’t make them up as you go along. You have others in your charge. That’s why he was a leader. But he decided otherwise and these are the consequences.