Specialist Jeremy M. Morlock and four other American soldiers from the Army's 5th Stryker Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division are accused in the killings of three innocent Afghan civilians in 2010. Specialist Morlock faces a court-martial and a possible death sentence. He pleaded guilty in March, 2011 to three charges of premeditated murder, conspiracy to commit murder, assault and other charges.
According to the allegations, Specialist Morlock and other members of the self-designated “Kill Team,” consumed with drug use, randomly chose unarmed Afghan civilians and made a sport of killing them with grenades and guns.
Specialist Morlock, who is accused in all three deaths, has signed a detailed confession as part of his effort to avoid a life sentence, and is seeking a sentence of 24 years.
Others in the unit failed to report the abuses out of fear they would suffer retaliation from their commander, according to testimony in a military court in September, 2010. Specialist Morlock, who grew up in Wasilla, Alaska, appeared in court but did not testify.
The case came to light after one of the soldiers informed military investigators about the killings; he was then beaten so severely by other members of the unit for betraying them that he had to be hospitalized.
The five soldiers are accused of possessing dismembered body parts, including fingers and a skull, and collecting photographs of dead Afghans, some showing soldiers posing along with the dead. As many as 70 images are believed to be in evidence.
http://topics.nytimes.com/top/refere...ock/index.html
Bookmarks