SEATTLE – An Army investigator looking into the case of Washington state-based soldiers who are accused of killing three Afghan civilians has recommended dropping a murder charge against the alleged ringleader.
Staff Sgt. Calvin Gibbs of Billings, Mont., is the highest ranking of five soldiers charged. Another defendant told investigators that Gibbs provided a grenade used in the first killing.
The Seattle Times reports that an Army judge advocate has recommended that the murder charge against Gibbs in that killing be dropped. Col. Thomas Malloy says the Army could have trouble proving the charge. No witnesses have alleged that Gibbs directly took part in that killing.
Malloy recommended that Gibbs face a court martial on a conspiracy charge in the first killing, as well as conspiracy and murder charges in the other two killings.
Lt. Gen. Curtis Scaparrotti is reviewing the recommendation.
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Information from: The Seattle Times, http://www.seattletimes.com
