Army

Staff Sgt. Robert Bales Will Plead Guilty In Afghan Murders

The Associated Press — Wed, 29 May 2013 21:39:12 +0000

SEATTLE (AP) — The Army staff sergeant charged with murdering 16 Afghan villagers during pre-dawn raids last year has agreed to plead guilty in a deal to avoid the death penalty. John Henry Browne, an attorney for Staff Sgt. Robert Bales, tells The Associated Press that Bales will enter the plea June 5 at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

Militia Group Allegedly Formed By Washington State Soldier

Patricia Murphy — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 15:07:04 +0000

A solider from Washington state has been charged with murder in the death of his pregnant wife. Prosecutors also say Pvt. Isaac Aguigui of Cashmere, Wash., is the ringleader of an anti-government militia group that plotted to overthrow the government and poison apple crops in Washington state.

NPR Special: Iraq War

Producer — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 17:45:18 +0000

Coming up on Spotlight, March 18 at 8 p.m.

Ten years ago, a US-led invasion brushed aside Iraq's army and toppled the country’s long-time leader, Saddam Hussein. The swift military operation quickly became a difficult and complicated occupation. The US found itself fighting an insurgency, and a sectarian conflict nearly consumed the country.

New Army Report Finds Trouble With Behavioral Health System

Patricia Murphy — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 20:40:39 +0000

The Army has more than doubled its number of military and civilian behavioral health workers in the past five years, however, a newly released report that examines how the Army evaluates soldiers for mental health issues finds that the system is riddled with problems.

Military Judge Orders Sanity Review For Soldier Accused In Massacre

Patricia Murphy — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 18:25:51 +0000

Attorneys for Staff Sergeant Robert Bales say they’re unsure if they’ll pursue a mental health defense in the case.

But if they do, the judge has ordered that the soldier must undergo a so-called sanity board review.

Bales is accused of murdering 16 Afghan civilians and wounding six others in an overnight rampage last March.

Thomas Ricks: Time To Shake Up America's Military Brass

Steve Scher — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 18:00:00 +0000

Does firing the top brass hold the key to success for America's military? Author, journalist and senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security Thomas Ricks argues that the top military leadership of the United States has not lived with the same fear of being relieved of duty the way it once did. Ricks says lax treatment of underperforming generals since World War II has invited subpar performance and a lack of accountability. We talk with Thomas Ricks about his new book, “The Generals.”

Also this hour: Weekday green thumbs Marty Wingate, Willi Galloway and Greg Rabourn join us to answer your flower, vegetable and native plant questions. Need guidance for your garden? Call us at 206.543.5869 or email weekday@kuow.org.

Plus, Michael Fagin joins us to recommend a hike to match the week's weather forecast.

Reporter Update: Joint Base Lewis-McChord Soldier Accused Of Massacre

Sara Lerner and Patricia Murphy — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 19:46:20 +0000

Pre-trial hearings continue this evening at Joint Base Lewis-McChord for Army Staff Sergeant Robert Bales. He’s accused of massacring 16 civilians in Afghanistan, including nine children. Prosecutors say he left his base last March and went on an overnight five-hour killing spree.

The hearings will determine whether the case will advance to court-martial, where the government has said it plans to seek the death penalty. KUOW’s Sara Lerner spoke with Patricia Murphy, who’s covering the hearings.

Afghan Witnesses Testimony Next Step In Bales Hearings

Patricia Murphy — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 18:50:20 +0000

Pretrial hearings for Staff Sergeant Robert Bales continue tonight when Afghan villagers and soldiers are expected to testify by video. The hearings are expected to run into the early morning hours US time.

Accused Afghan Massacre Suspect Returns To Joint Base Lewis-McChord

Austin Jenkins — Tue, 16 Oct 2012 01:50:00 +0000

The Army sergeant charged with killing 16 Afghan civilians earlier this year has arrived back in Washington. That confirmation came late Monday from an official at Joint Base Lewis McChord.

Sgt. Robert Bales has been held at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas since March when he was accused of the murders and other crimes. His attorney, Emma Scanlan, calls her client’s return home to Washington “incredibly significant.”

Emma Scanlan: “He can see his wife, he can see his children on a more regular basis.