A key defendant in what’s been described as the worst war-crimes case involving U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan has agreed to help military prosecutors.

 

Army Specialist Jeremy Morlock of Wasilla, Alaska, a member of the 5th Stryker Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, will testify against as many as 10 fellow soldiers accused of randomly killing Afghan civilians and trying to cover up their actions. Morlock, charged with three counts of murder, conspiracy, obstruction of justice and assaulting another soldier, will serve a maximum of 24 years in prison in exchange for his testimony.

 

Four other members of Morlock’s platoon have also been charged with murder. The troops allegedly killed three unarmed Afghan men for sport in separate incidents in 2010 and collected body parts from their victims.

 

The blood sport activities allegedly began after Staff Sergeant Calvin Gibbs arrived at forward operating base Ramrod in November 2009. Gibbs, of Billings, Montana, reportedly bragged about getting away with similar activities while stationed in Iraq.

-Noel Brinkerhoff

 

Soldier in Army War-Crimes Case Signs Plea Deal in Killings of Afghan Civilians (by Craig Whitlock, Washington Post)

U.S. Soldiers Charged with Killing for Sport in Afghanistan (by David Wallechinsky and Noel Brinkerhoff, AllGov)