Green Beret faces trial in Afghan death

[unhappycamper]

Green Beret faces trial in Afghan death
By Estes Thompson - The Associated Press
Posted : Wednesday Feb 18, 2009 21:25:46 EST

FORT BRAGG, N.C. — A Green Beret accused of fatally shooting a man he suspected of being a Taliban fighter and lopping off his ear in the Afghan desert will face a military jury this week, nearly a year after the allegations surfaced.

Army Master Sgt. Joseph D. Newell, 38, of Tecumseh, Mich., could face life in prison if convicted of murder at his court-martial at Fort Bragg.

Maj. Chris Augustine, spokesman for the Army Special Forces Command at Fort Bragg, said Wednesday evening that final questioning of prospective jurors is scheduled Thursday morning followed by opening arguments after midday.

During a hearing on some motions Wednesday, Augustine said a judge ruled that government evidence including a knife and an ear could be presented by the prosecution.

Prosecutors accuse the 20-year military veteran of killing an Afghan civilian. But defense attorneys said the prosecution’s case was largely based on testimony from members of his Army Special Forces team who disliked his aggressive style and conspired against him.


RRest of article at: http://armytimes.com/news/2009/02/ap_newell_court_martial_021809/%2e