Defense: Green Beret killed man in self-defense

[unhappycamper]

Defense: Green Beret killed man in self-defense
By Estes Thompson - The Associated Press
Posted : Thursday Feb 19, 2009 21:07:41 EST

FORT BRAGG, N.C. — A Special Forces soldier accused of killing an Afghan civilian and severing the man’s ear was acting in self-defense against a suspected insurgent, the soldier’s defense attorney said Thursday during opening statements in his client’s court-martial.

A prosecutor wearing latex gloves held up the brownish ear prior to opening defense statements, telling the 10 military jurors that the actions of Master Sgt. Joseph D. Newell were nothing more than premeditated murder and the man didn’t pose a threat.

Newell, a 38-year-old native of Tecumseh, Mich., is charged with murder and mutilating a body.

He faces a life prison sentence if convicted of murder.

Defense lawyer Maj. Lance Daniels said Newell would take the stand and won’t deny shooting the unidentified man during a convoy last March 5 near the village of Hyderabad in the southern Afghan desert. Daniels also said Newell still doesn’t know why he cut off the man’s ear, but made no attempt to hide anything.


Rest of article at: http://armytimes.com/news/2009/02/ap_greenberet_court_martial_021909/%2e



uhc comment: Yet another instance of history repeating itself. (Think of south east Asia in the 60s and early 70s.)