Hearing in Afghan shooting case delayed at least 2 months
SEATTLE - A special military court hearing for a Lewis-McChord Army sergeant accused of killing 16 Afghan civilians has been delayed for at least two months, ABC News reports.
The Article 32 court hearing for Sgt. Robert Bales, equivalent to a civilian grand jury, originally was scheduled for Sept. 17. But Army officials now tell ABC News that the hearing won't take place until November at the earliest.
There was no immediate explanation for the delay in the hearing, which had been expected to take place at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.
Investigators say Bales, a father of two from Lake Tapps, was equipped with a 9-mm pistol and M-4 rifle outfitted with a grenade launcher when he walked off his base in southern Afghanistan on March 11, attacked two local villages and burned some of the victims' bodies. He's being held in the military prison at Fort Leavenworth, Kan.
Under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, an investigating officer must determine the sufficiency of the charges against a defendant before the case can proceed to a court martial. The officer reviews evidence and hears from witnesses during the Article 32 hearing, then makes a decision.
Bales faces 16 counts of premeditated murder; six of attempted murder; seven of assault; one of possessing steroids; one of using steroids; one of destroying a laptop computer; one of burning bodies; and one of using alcohol.
His attorneys have been reviewing 5,000 pages of discovery materials turned over by prosecutors.
The Article 32 court hearing for Sgt. Robert Bales, equivalent to a civilian grand jury, originally was scheduled for Sept. 17. But Army officials now tell ABC News that the hearing won't take place until November at the earliest.
There was no immediate explanation for the delay in the hearing, which had been expected to take place at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.
Investigators say Bales, a father of two from Lake Tapps, was equipped with a 9-mm pistol and M-4 rifle outfitted with a grenade launcher when he walked off his base in southern Afghanistan on March 11, attacked two local villages and burned some of the victims' bodies. He's being held in the military prison at Fort Leavenworth, Kan.
Under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, an investigating officer must determine the sufficiency of the charges against a defendant before the case can proceed to a court martial. The officer reviews evidence and hears from witnesses during the Article 32 hearing, then makes a decision.
Bales faces 16 counts of premeditated murder; six of attempted murder; seven of assault; one of possessing steroids; one of using steroids; one of destroying a laptop computer; one of burning bodies; and one of using alcohol.
His attorneys have been reviewing 5,000 pages of discovery materials turned over by prosecutors.
Also, what's up with the semi-colon fail in this article KOMO? You are spreading bad grammar habits.Â
Pretty amazing that Mitt Romney never mentioned Afghanistan once in his convention speech.Â
I sense a Lt. Calley type of trial coming out of this event...
He was in possession of and using steroids? IF he is guilty could this have been the result of "roid rage?"
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Why is it taking so long for the Article 32 hearing? Its been 6 months since the incident. Is the military stalling because there is lack of evidence as Sgt. Bales attorney stated? This is such a high profile case you would think that the military would be on top of the ball and commence with the trial.