He stopped enroute to "further interrogate" the guy. I cannot imagine that this was authorized, even though my Army experience was as an NCO, not a LT.
Then, according to the story, he failed to report the killing... which probably looked like a cover up to the jury.
Also, I didn't see anything in the story (I'll read it again, to make sure) concerning any testimony from the interpreter, who, according to the LT's story, was a witness to the incident.
The terrorist had it coming, but individuals don't get to make the decision to execute them, which is what this (unfortunately) looks like. It seems the Army had it covered when they issued the capture/kill order three days after the killing (not knowing about it, because it had not been reported).
Not condemning the LT... just pointing out that it looks pretty bad for an appeal.
The next President should go on record that she will get our guys out of jail and fix the military with requests of resignation from all flag officers and righteously accept the ones of liberals or weaklings.
All lower ranked personnel involved in the legal attacks against our people should be put on a slow promotion track, eventually RIFed out, and assigned to remote, preferably cold weather posts.