THE GUARDIAN: Suspect in killing of 16 villagers is described as decorated serviceman scarred by war wounds and multiple tours of duty
The US soldier accused of shooting dead 16 Afghan villagers saw his friend's leg blown off the day before and is himself a decorated survivor of war wounds from mutliple tours of duty, his lawyer has said.
Seattle attorney John Henry Browne said that according to his client's family the soldier had been standing next to his friend when the blast happened.
Browne said all of the soldiers at the remote camp where his client was assigned were upset by the injury. It was not clear whether that might have prompted the killings last Sunday of the civilians, who included women and children.
The soldier, a 38-year-old father of two originally from the American midwest, deployed in December 2011 with the 3rd Stryker Brigade, and on 1 February was attached to a "village stability operation".
Browne described him as highly decorated and said he had once been nominated for a Bronze Star, though he did not receive it. » | Staff and agencies | Friday, March 16, 2012
