Widows testify in fragging trial

Widows testify in fragging trial
By Estes Thompson - The Associated Press
Posted : Friday Oct 24, 2008 5:59:55 EDT

FORT BRAGG, N.C. — The widows of two military officers killed by an anti-personnel mine in their quarters in Iraq testified briefly Thursday in the court-martial of the New York National Guard soldier charged in their deaths.

Staff Sgt. Alberto B. Martinez, 41, of Troy, N.Y., is the first soldier from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to be accused of killing a direct superior, a crime known as “fragging” during the Vietnam war. Prosecutors allege he planted the mine that detonated June 7, 2005, in a window of the officers’ room at Saddam Hussein’s Water Palace in Tikrit.

Killed were Capt. Philip Esposito and 1st Lt. Louis Allen, both National Guard officers in the 42nd Infantry Division. Martinez is charged with two counts of premeditated murder. He could be sentenced to death if convicted.

Martinez has pleaded not guilty. Defense attorneys say Army investigators have no evidence and targeted Martinez because he was feuding with Esposito.

The case is expected to last through the end of the year.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/10/ap_martinez_fragging_102308/%2e