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January 18, 2013

Judge Orders Sanity Review for U.S. Soldier Accused of Massacring 16 Afghans? 
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A U.S. soldier accused of massacring 16 Afghan civilians in March has
been ordered to undergo a sanity review before his lawyers can wage a
defense based on his mental health. Staff Sergeant Robert Bales deferred
entering a plea Thursday on charges that could carry the death penalty.
He is accused of killing nine children and seven adults during a
nighttime attack on two villages in Kandahar province. Lawyers say
Bales, who served four tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, may have suffered
a traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder. Attorney
John Henry Browne discussed Bales' mental state Thursday.

John Henry Browne: "He's hanging in there. He's a strong person. I think
that he would agree with what I just said, he feels a bit abandoned by
the Army, but other than that I think he's holding up alright."

 

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