Lewis-McChord officer recommends court martial for Alaska soldier accused in Afghan killings

Army officer recommends trial in Afghan killings

JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. — An investigating officer at Joint Base Lewis-McChord has recommended a court-martial for one of the soldiers accused of killing three civilians in Afghanistan.

The News Tribune of Tacoma reported the recommendation this week from Col. Thomas Molloy. It now goes to the commander of the 2nd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, for a final decision on a military trial.

Twenty-two-year-old Spc. Jeremy Morlock of Wasilla, Alaska, is one of five Lewis-McChord soldiers accused of killing civilians for sport in a recent Stryker brigade deployment. All have denied the accusations.

They could face the death penalty if convicted.

Morlock was the first to have a pretrial hearing Sept. 27 at the Army base near Tacoma.

Information from: The News Tribune, www.thenewstribune.com