Soldier Admits To Killing Afghan Civilians

Soldier in Court-Martial case admits guilt to premeditate killing of Afghan civilians. The soldier along with four others coordinated fake combat situations to shoot and kill the civilians. Jeremy N. Morlock is attempting a plea bargain in which he will face a maximum of 24 years in prison.

William Yardley - New York Times

JOINT BASE LEWIS-McCHORD, Wash. - “The plan was to kill people, sir,” the soldier, Specialist Jeremy N. Morlock, told a military judge at this base south of Seattle.

Specialist Morlock, one of five soldiers accused of killing the Afghans near Kandahar last year, had previously agreed in court documents to testify against the other defendants in exchange for his plea. He is seeking a maximum of 24 years in prison. A military judge still must approve the agreement.

Specialist Morlock, 22, of Wasilla, Alaska, is the first of the five soldiers to face a court-martial. He pleaded guilty on Wednesday to three charges of premeditated murder, conspiracy to commit murder, assault and other charges.

Before the plea offer, Specialist Morlock gave several interviews to investigators, including some on videotape that have been broadcast nationally, in which he described how members of his unit, part of Stryker brigade deployed to Afghanistan in 2009 and 2010, faked combat situations so they could kill Afghan civilians who he said posed no threat.

Full article at nytimes.com