Defense wraps up in fragging court-martial

[unhappycamper]

Defense wraps up in fragging court-martial
By Estes Thompson - The Associated Press
Posted : Monday Nov 24, 2008 20:03:53 EST

FORT BRAGG, N.C. — The New York soldier accused of killing two superior officers in Iraq said Monday he won’t testify in his defense during his court-martial at Fort Bragg.

The defense team for Staff Sgt. Alberto Martinez wrapped up its case after the judge asked Martinez “was it your decision not to testify?” Martinez answered: “Yes sir. Not to testify.”

Martinez is the first soldier from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to be accused of killing a direct superior, a crime known as “fragging” during the Vietnam war. Witnesses have said he didn’t get along with Capt. Phillip Esposito, who was killed along with another officer when an anti-personnel mine exploded on a U.S. military base in 2005.

Prosecutors called rebuttal witnesses later Monday, including former 42nd Infantry Division cook Sgt. Sandra Pelton — whose testimony surprised defense attorneys.

Pelton said she worked in the dining hall on the base, and Martinez twice mentioned fragging when he came through her line a few days before the explosion.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/11/ap_fragging_martinez_112408/%2e