Bragg judge keeps slaying defendant in solitary

[unhappycamper]

Bragg judge keeps slaying defendant in solitary
The Associated Press
Posted : Monday Aug 25, 2008 6:14:51 EDT

FORT BRAGG, N.C. — A supply sergeant charged with killing his superior officers in Iraq three years ago will remain in solitary confinement while he awaits court-martial, a military judge ruled Friday.

New York Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Alberto B. Martinez will stay in “special quarters” — the term for solitary — at the military prison at Camp Lejeune Marine Corps Base in Jacksonville, Col. Stephen Henley ruled during a motions hearing at Fort Bragg.

Lawyers for the 41-year-old Martinez argued the living conditions in the 48-square-foot cell are stressful, The Fayetteville Observer reported.

Henley said if Martinez is convicted he will get extra credit for the time spent in solitary. Army prisoners are routinely held at the Marine base because Fort Bragg doesn’t have prison facilities.

Martinez is required to sit or stand most of the time in the 6-by-8-foot cell and his only infraction has been when he once lay on his bed without permission, the defense said.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/08/ap_martinez_082208/%2e