Whistle-blower in Afghan probe pleads guilty

Whistle-blower in Afghan probe pleads guilty

JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. – A soldier who tried to blow the whistle on a plot to murder Afghan civilians has pleaded guilty to a charge of involuntary manslaughter at his court-martial.

The Tacoma News Tribune reports that Spc. Adam Winfield of Cape Coral, Fla., faces up to 17 years in prison and a dishonorable discharge at sentencing later Friday.

A person familiar with the case who did not want to be named because Winfield had not yet entered a plea told The Associated Press on Monday that he had reached a deal under which he'll serve no more than eight years in prison.

Winfield is one of five 5th Stryker Brigade soldiers initially charged with premeditated murder of three civilians last year in Afghanistan. Winfield said he was pressured into taking part.

http://old.news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110805/ap_on_re_us/us_afghan_probe

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From The Tacoma News Tribune:

JBLM soldier pleads guilty for role in Afghan killing

A Joint Base Lewis-McChord soldier pleaded guilty Friday to involuntary manslaughter for his role in the killing of an Afghanistan civilian last year.

Spc. Adam Winfield is the second soldier assigned to the former 5th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division to admit to participating in a murder as the Army’s prosecution of the so-called Afghan “kill team” continues. The team allegedly concocted fake combat scenarios in order to murder Afghan civilians.

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On May 2, 2010, Winfield and another soldier, Pvt. Jeremy Morlock, fired at the Afghan after the alleged “kill team” ringleader, Staff Sgt. Calvin Gibbs, tossed a grenade toward the man.

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Winfield admitted he fired his heavy weapon in the direction of the Afghan but only to deceive Gibbs. He feared Gibbs because the squad leader had threatened him if he alerted authorities about the civilian killings. Gibbs had told him how he planned to drop a tow hitch on Winfield’s head or a barbell on his neck if he did so.

http://blog.thenewstribune.com/military/2011/08/05/jblm-soldier-pleads-guilty-for-role-in-afghan-killing/#ixzz1UFxU9kMW