AP Exclusive: Soldier to admit Afghan massacre

Yahoo ^

[Java4Jay]

The Army staff sergeant charged with slaughtering 16 villagers in one of the worst atrocities of the Afghanistan war will plead guilty to avoid the death penalty in a deal that requires him to recount the horrific attack for the first time, his attorney told The Associated Press on Wednesday.

[Java4Jay]

The outcome of the case carries high stakes. The Army had been trying to have Bales executed, and Afghan villagers have demanded it. In interviews with the AP in Kandahar last month, relatives of the victims became outraged at the notion Bales might escape the death penalty.

"For this one thing, we would kill 100 American soldiers," vowed Mohammed Wazir, who had 11 family members killed that night, including his mother and 2-year-old daughter.

[FreedomStar3028]

Put people in harm’s way, and don’t let them defend themselves against the ENEMY because doing otherwise would LOSE THE HEARTS AND MINDS OF OUR (((ENEMIES))).

Then they wander why things like this happen.

[nickcarraway]

Is there any suggestion, that he is making the confession to stay alive, and he is not in fact guilty. If he is, in fact, guilty, isn’t the punishment entirely appropriate, if not too lenient?

[Java4Jay]

The Fort Hood shooting on November 5, 2009

The Afghan Kandahar massacre March 11, 2012

[onyx]

YES!

Donate Here!
FReepathon Day 59!!!

[NYleatherneck]

I’m a little confused... Are you actually defending this piece of shit ?

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks Java4Jay.

will plead guilty to avoid the death penalty in a deal that requires him to recount the horrific attack for the first time

[Cvengr]

My first thought,...was it workplace violence? If not, then why is Ft Hood so categorized?

[FreedomStar3028]

No, absolutely not, I’m not defending this piece of shit.

I’m simply pointing out, that putting young minds onto a battlefield, and then telling them. DON’T SHOOT FIRST OR WE WON’T WIN THE HEARTS AND MINDS OF OUR ENEMIES is not a very wise decision.

I thought about adding a disclaimer to to my post, but figured people would understand, count me wrong.

[Norm Lenhart]

Considering that we will never know the truth? Considering many in the military are refusing to reinlist? Considering the ROEs they are forced to endure?

The man may well be a POS. But I do not trust anyone in power to not have thrown him out there as a human sacrifice to the ROP one way or the other.

[Irenic]

They will kill 100 American soldiers over the burning of a kookran.

[Fred Nerks]

I don’t remember:

http://www.cruisebruise.com/Scopolamine.html

[kearnyirish2]

“The Army had been trying to have Bales executed, and Afghan villagers have demanded it.”

Sounds like something out of “Apocalypse Now”. I’m not defending the guy; I’m just indifferent.

[Irenic]

I think it was Snakeeater? Snakeater? Snake something or another had served with this guy. He said he was a great guy and can’t imagine what happened. Maybe somebody else can recall clearly and drag up the old threads.

[Norm Lenhart]

I remember that. Something either made this guy snap or he is being sacrificed.

[EternalVigilance]

If he’s guilty, hang him.

[Girlene]

Yep.

[krizzy]

With this administration, with these ROE, it is real easy for me to sit on the completely innocent side until I see proof positive.

[stylin19a]

why can Bales plead guilty, but Hasan can't ? Did Hasan just get new life ?

"Hasan has indicated a willingness to plead guilty to the charges if prosecutors drop the death penalty. Under military law, he cannot plead guilty to a death penalty case."

[SuziQ]

Something either made this guy snap or he is being sacrificed.

According to the story, he was on his fourth deployment, which is bad enough, but on the night in question, he had been on steroids, and had been drinking and taking valium. I'd say that was a recipe for disaster.