Trial urged for U.S. soldier accused of Afghan murders

In a story Opinione has been reporting on since the first week in September 2010, a U.S. Army Colonel recommenced on Thursday that a court martial should be held for an American soldier charged with murdering Afghan civilians for sport, collecting fingers from dead bodies and other crime U.S. soldiers. Although most of the media in America is too busy talking about petty stories like the firing of some news anchor on CNN, the Associated Press and other news wire services have been following the story.

According to the Associated Press report:

The investigating officer who presided over last week's initial hearing in the case found sufficient evidence for Army Specialist Jeremy Morlock, 22, to stand trial on three counts of premeditated murder and other offenses for which he could face the death penalty, according to the sources.
Morlock, a corporal from Wasilla, Alaska, is the first of five soldiers charged with murder in the investigation and described by prosecutors as part of a band of hashish-smoking infantrymen who menaced innocent Afghan civilians. Seven others from his unit are charged with less serious offenses.

Prosecutors characterized Morlock as the right-hand man to the accused ringleader, Staff Sergeant Calvin Gibbs.

Morlock's civilian lawyer, Michael Waddington, said the three slain Afghans -- two killed by grenades and rifle fire, one gunfire only -- were victims of a "rogue platoon running around killing people," and that his client, while present, "did not cause the deaths of any of these individuals."

The case against all 12 men stems from their recent deployment as part of the 5th Stryker Brigade, recently renamed the 2nd Stryker Brigade, in Kandahar province, a stronghold for Taliban insurgents.

Waddington says the case against Morlock is based on thin evidence, including statements the corporal made while under the influence of prescription drugs he was taking for pain relief, stress and sleep problems.

Pentagon officials, while stressing the charges had yet to be proven, acknowledged the nature of the allegations was damaging to America's image, and the image of the U.S. military in particular, around the world.

A Pentagon spokesman said the next Article 32 hearing in the case was set for October 19 for a soldier charged with conspiracy to commit murder of Afghan civilians.

Although some of the news wires will report this unfortunate story, none of the media outlets will explain why there are more soldiers committing these types of serious crimes. To provide that answer, the press would have to inform the public about the lower moral character requirements the U.S. Army has introduced over the last five years as a result of the never ending wars.