Judge ends hearing early in fragging trial

Judge ends hearing early in fragging trial
The Associated Press
Posted : Thursday Nov 13, 2008 17:33:16 EST

FORT BRAGG, N.C. — A military judge has ended a court hearing early in the murder case against a New York soldier because there weren’t enough defense witnesses to continue.

Col. Stephen Henley told prosecutors and defense attorneys Thursday to work out logistics to ensure witnesses were at Fort Bragg and ready to testify Friday afternoon.

Staff Sgt. Alberto Martinez has pleaded not guilty to premeditated murder in the deaths of two superior officers: Capt. Phillip Esposito of Suffern, N.Y., and 1st Lt. Louis E. Allen of Milford, Pa.

Prosecutors allege Martinez planted and detonated an anti-personnel mine in the window of the officers’ room on a U.S. military base in 2005. Witnesses have said Martinez and Esposito’s relationship was tense but cast doubt on whether Martinez had the capacity to plan the bombing.


Article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/11/ap_martinez_fraggingtrial_111308/%2e