Soldier May Testify Against Comrades in Afghan Killings for "Sport"

The New York Times is carrying a story on the trials of five members of the U.S. military who killed Afghan civilians for sport. Sadly, coverage of the atrocities first appeared in the foreign press as opposed to here in the USA. Nevertheless, the coverage likely forced the military command to take action rather than sweep the murders under the rug in the seemingly preferred manner in which the senior brass deals with war crimes and atrocities. Bradley Manning's supposed exposure of the murder of civilians and journalist has lead to his arrest and confinement, yet those committing the crimes have apparently been given a free pass. It's disgusting, but all too symptomatic of the cowboy mentality that pervades some circles of the military. A mentality that is fanned by the dehumanization of Muslims by the far right and Christianists in this country not to mention lunatic evangelical senior military officers who see the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq as a religious crusade. Here are some highlights:
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The cases against four of the Army soldiers accused of killing three unarmed Afghan civilians for sport last year could hinge on a fifth soldier whose lawyer said he was prepared to plead guilty to the crimes and testify against the others.
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The fifth soldier, Specialist Jeremy N. Morlock, 22, who is accused in all three deaths, has signed a detailed confession as part of his effort to avoid a life sentence. Specialist Morlock, who is scheduled to face a court-martial on March 3, is seeking a sentence of 24 years. The lawyer, Geoffrey Nathan, said prosecutors had agreed to the deal, though Army officials said Friday that they would not comment on the matter. A military judge would have to approve any plea deal and could alter any sentence in it.
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“During the entire incident, the Accused knew that the Afghan was unarmed and no threat to himself or any of his fellow Soldiers,” the stipulation says, referring to the killing in May. “There was no lawful justification or excuse for the killing or any of the actions taken by the Accused during the shooting of the Afghan male.”
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Lawyers in the case say two photographs show Specialist Morlock and Specialist Holmes holding up the heads of dead Afghans as their bodies lie on the ground. But they dispute how effective the photographs would be as evidence. Physical evidence in the case is limited, with investigators admitting they did not do detailed crime scene investigations out of concern that Afghan villagers would become angry if they learned the killings were suspicious.
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The far right in the GOP and the Christianists go to great lengths to demonize those who are different be they gay, immigrants or non-Christians. These shocking murders are but a fruit of the poison that is being disseminated daily by the falsely pious.