Hearing held for 2 in death of soldier

[unhappycamper]

Hearing held for 2 in death of soldier
The Associated Press
Posted : Friday Feb 27, 2009 17:15:35 EST

FORT BRAGG, N.C. — A soldier has testified at a hearing Friday that he saw other paratroopers restraining a soldier who eventually died after a night of drinking at a bar near Fort Bragg.

The testimony came at the continuation of a hearing for comanders, who must decide whether to put seven soldiers on trial in connection with the July 20, 2008, death of Pfc. Luke Brown of Fredericksburg, Va.

Sgt. Mitchell Lafortune testified he saw the men restraining Brown, who had run into some woods near the bar. The Fayetteville Observer reported that Lafortune said he was startled by what he called an assault, and said he isn’t sure why he didn’t try to stop it. Lafortune hasn’t been charged.

Prosecutors said seven soldiers are responsible for Brown’s death because he died after being choked or because of the way he was placed face down in a vehicle.

The hearing Friday was for 23-year-old Spc. Ryan Sullivan of Mount Laurel, N.J.; and 22-year-old Spc. Joseph A. Misuraca of Harper Woods, Mich., two of the seven charged in Brown’s death, according to authorities.

Rest of article at: http://armytimes.com/news/2009/02/ap_nc_bragg_death_022709/%2e