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Subscribe to RSSStaff Sergeant Robert Bales, the American soldier charged with a grisly massacre of Afghan civilians, appears in a Washington state military courtroom Monday on accusations that he killed 16 villagers as they slept. TODAY's Natalie Morales reports.
TACOMA, Washington -- Military prosecutors said on Monday they would seek the death penalty for a U.S. soldier accused of killing 16 Afghan villagers when he twice ventured out of his camp earlier this year.
The lead prosecutor, Lieutenant Colonel Jay Morse, told a preliminary hearing he would present evidence proving "chilling premeditation" on the part of Staff Sergeant Robert Bales, a decorated veteran of four combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The shootings of mostly women and children in Afghanistan's Kandahar province in March marked the worst case of civilian slaughter blamed on an individual U.S. soldier since the Vietnam War and eroded already strained U.S.-Afghan ties after more than a decade of conflict in the country.
Bales faces 16 counts of premeditated murder and six counts of attempted murder, as well as charges of assault and wrongfully possessing and using steroids and alcohol while deployed.
Morse said he was submitting a "capital referral" in the case, requesting that Bales be executed if convicted.
The hearing at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington State was expected to last two weeks and include witness testimony from Afghanistan carried by live video, including testimony from villagers and Afghan soldiers.
At the end, military commanders will decide whether there is sufficient evidence for Bales to stand trial by court-martial.
'I just shot up some people'
Bales, dressed in camouflage Army fatigues with his head shaven, embraced his wife Kari in court before the hearing began. He then sat silently watching the proceedings from the defense table as Morse summarized the prosecution's account of the events of March 10-11.
According to Morse, Bales had been drinking with two fellow soldiers before he left his base, Camp Belambay, and went to a village where he committed the first killings.
Morse said Bales then returned to the camp and told a drinking buddy, Sergeant Jason McLaughlin, "I just shot up some people," before leaving for a second village and killing more people. Morse called Bales' actions "deliberate, methodical."
According to McLaughlin, Bales asked him to smell his rifle and said "I'll be back at 5 (a.m.). You got me?" McLaughlin said he did not think Bales was serious, and "didn't think too much about it," going back to sleep for guard duty that started at 3 a.m.
Child witnesses to Afghan massacre: Bales was not alone
Prosecutors showed a video shot by night-vision camera from a surveillance balloon over the camp, showing a figure they identified as Bales walking back to the post wearing a dark blue bed sheet or throw rug tied around his neck like a cloak.
He is seen being confronted by three soldiers, including the two men prosecutors said he had been drinking with, who ordered him to drop his weapons and took him into custody as he is heard saying, "Are you ****ing kidding me?"
One of the three, Corporal David Godwin, testified that Bales kept repeating the words, "I thought I was doing the right thing," and "It's bad. It's bad. It's really bad." Several witnesses said Bales' trousers were spattered with blood. One said he had a "ghost-like look."
Drank whiskey, watched assassin film
Godwin recounted that he, Bales and McLaughlin had been drinking whiskey together in McLaughlin's room while watching the Hollywood film "Man on Fire," which stars Denzel Washington as a former assassin bent on revenge.
Several witnesses from the camp said Bales had been aggrieved over the lack of action over an improvised explosive device attack on a patrol near the camp several days earlier, in which one U.S. soldier lost the lower part of a leg.
Officials: US soldier in Afghanistan shooting spree said 'I did it'
Prosecutors said Bales had been armed with a rifle, a pistol and a grenade launcher on the night in question, and that the killings took place over a five-hour period in two villages. The dead included members of four families, most shot in the head.
When Bales returned to the camp and surrendered his weapons, he was brought to Captain Daniel Fields, team leader, at the camp's command center. "What the **** just happened?" Fields said he asked Bales. He said Bales avoided eye contact and just said "I'm sorry, I let you down."
Bales was not expected to testify during the so-called Article 32 hearing.
News that Army Staff Sgt. Robert Bales is suspected of killing 16 Afghan civilians has sent shockwaves through his Washington state neighborhood. NBC's Miguel Almaguer reports.
John Henry Browne, Bales' civilian lawyer, has suggested Bales may not have acted alone and may be suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.
Kari Bales told NBC station KING5.com before Monday's hearing that she believed he was innocent, as a massacre of innocent civilians was "not something my husband would have done ... not the Bob that I know."
No motive has emerged for the killings.
Kari Bales had complained about financial difficulties on her blog in the year before the killings, and she had noted that Bales was disappointed at being passed over for a promotion.
Browne described those stresses as garden-variety — nothing that would prompt such a massacre — and has also said, without elaborating, that Bales suffered a traumatic incident during his second Iraq tour that triggered "tremendous depression.”
Asked about the prospect of the death penalty, Kari Bales told KING5 that she had not “had time to worry about that.”
“I know that’s a possibility,” she added. “If and when that happens then that’s the time I will worry about it. It’s in God’s hands.”
Reuters and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Well, I wasn't there and I don't know the entire facts of this. All I know is the reason we went into Afghanistan was to get Bin Laden. We've been telling them it's time to come home since that time. Our boys never signed up to prop up Afghanistan. A 10 year war is ridiculous. As ridiculous as 4 tours over there.
I am not going to condemn this young man over facts that are yet hidden from us.
War is hell. Hell on Earth. Apparently we've forgotten that. That's why we've been there over a decade. They've got to be made to fear us and want peace in order for any campaign to be successful.
Yada Yada Yada, granted what he did was wrong. What he did was not sanctioned. However, who are we to know if the people that he killed were not Taliban. The Afghans murder many more of our people per year than he did. Kick him out of the Army, pull his GI Bill benefits and call it a day. They were only Afghans and were going to stay a drain on the world economy.
"However, who are we to know if the people that he killed were not Taliban. "
Great question. Here's another: how are we to know that they weren't space aliens? How are we to know that they weren't android robot warriors working for Canadian intelligence?
"They were only Afghans and were going to stay a drain on the world economy."
Move along, nothing to see hear. You might have thought that the little children who were shot and burned by this monster were human beings and children of God like you and me. You'd be wrong. It turns out they were "only Afghans." Excuse me while I go throw up.
*nothing to see "here."
Well Lev, several of "those innocent Afghanies" have wrapped bombs around their bodies and murdered our soldiers...not so innocent after all are they!
No Afghan is totally innocent! And the issue is still not being addressed wasn't mentally fit for combat after multiple combat tours! but he was still sent anyone who has ever served knows you need boots on the ground overseas and you need numbers! You suck it up one one time it's pathetic we treat our troopers like this.
Start a draft all men and women 18-34 then all the self righteous, armchair,pious holier than thou, hypocrites, can get a taste of it. Oh yeah Politicians your kids should go to the top of the list LEAD BY EXAMPLE! Go make a few deployments and see how your mental state holds up by doing 9, 10, 13, and in worst case 15 and 17 month deployments. GOD speed oh wait alot of them don't believe in GOD (how shocking) so quick to send someone off to there bidding and dirty work. Make sure you send us a postcard while your at it.
"No Afghan is totally innocent!"
Yeah, I hear that three year old little girl that Bales allegedly killed had some pretty nefarious plots up her sleeve.
"GOD speed oh wait alot of them don't believe in GOD (how shocking)"
And I suppose that you claim to believe in "GOD?" Would this be the Christian god? The one who said, "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you?" The one who said "...Resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also?" Are we talking about the same God?
I don't love the Afghan and I do not lot love the Taliban! And the Taliban are the enemy and a majority of the Afghan people are because they kill our troops that train them no I will not love them that is stupidity! And I believe no Afghan is totally innocent they raise there kind to kill Americans at a very early age!
"I don't love the Afghan and I do not lot love the Taliban! And the Taliban are the enemy..."
Ok, so you don't love your enemy. That's quite clear. What I still don't understand is why you're blathering on about other people who don't believe in God. If you consider yourself a Christian, then you clearly don't believe in the very clear words spoken by Jesus Christ, who commanded us to love our enemies. Is that clear enough for you?
Do you want me to weep for the Afghan people well I don't is that clear enough for you my main thing the the Afghan have blown this thing out of proportion.
Do you consider yourself a Christian, N. Serling? (I only ask because you seemed to be quite put out by those who "don't believe in God.") If you are, then you are commanded to love your enemies. It's fine if you want to say that you're not a Christian and you reject the teachings of Jesus Christ. But you cannot be a good Christian and simultaneously mock Christ and his teachings.
And what do you mean when you say that the "Afghans have blown this thing out of proportion?" We're talking about the cold-blooded killing of women and children in their homes in the middle of the night at the hands of someone who was supposed to be protecting them. What do you think an appropriate reaction would have been?
I am a Christian and I love my Country dearly I was over there when he allegedly did that act. Afghan most of them not all of them are bad people that's not my stereotype that what I have perceived from being around them all the time. There President is crooked and a liar always condemning us. If he is found guilty he shouldn't be put to death he should have got the mental help he needed but did not get; If he had gotten he would have never been over there in the first place.
"I am a Christian..."
You could have fooled me! I've heard of "bible believing Christians," but never of "bible mocking Christians." That is precisely what you have done-- you have mocked the bible. Christ teaches us to love our enemies and to not resist those who do evil against us. This couldn't be any clearer-- it is a major theme of his preaching and of Paul's epistles (see Matthew 5:34, Luke 6:27-28, as well as Romans 12:20 and I Thessalonians 5:15).
You have made your view of these teachings quite clear: you have said that they are "stupidity." Seriously, have you ever even opened a bible?
Hey look Lev I told you what my thoughts are! And I am entitled to them and I have been over there lots of time to fight for them and people like you so can come on this sight and question me so back off!
I think it pretty clear you have never served in war zone.
1) Yes, you've made your point quite clearly: you consider yourself a Christian but you believe that Christ's teachings are "stupidity." I have no idea how you don't see the absurdity of that position. What does being a Christian mean to you? That you get a free pass into heaven? What did you think Christ meant when he told us to love our enemies and to turn the other cheek? Do you think that he was joking?
2) I fail to see how your decision to go over to Afghanistan has anything to do with my right or ability to come on here and question you. You can keep on believing that, but I don't see any connection whatsoever.
" Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles? Then I will tell them plainly, " I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers."
"I think it pretty clear you have never served in war zone."
No, I haven't. What does that have to do with your claim that you can be a Christian and call Christ's teachings "stupidity?" Nothing whatsoever.
You sound like a hippie and I'm done arguing with you and you were clearly bending my words!
In what sense am I bending your words? You said very clearly that "And the Taliban are the enemy... I will not love them that is stupidity!" Did I misunderstand you? It seems to me that you were saying that the idea of loving your enemy is stupidity. It seems equally clear to me that Christ teaches us to love our enemy. If there is some way of interpreting this in a way in which you aren't calling Christ's teachings stupidity, then I would love to hear it.
(Oh, and by the way, "You sound like a hippie" is not an argument. I could tell you what I think you sound like, but I really don't think that would be a very productive way of having a conversation.)
Then you will never know or have a clue what so ever! Even the most devout Christian will see things over there that will challenge there beliefs and morals and shake them down to the core like I said you will never know you sound like a hippie to me.
As far as I can tell (and please correct me if I'm wrong) you never believed in Christ's teachings to begin with. I get the strong impression that you've never thought that you were obligated to love your enemies.
You can say that I sound like a hippie, but what you're really saying is, "Jesus Christ, who I believe to be my Savior and the Son of God, was a fool whose very clear words should be completely ignored." If that's not what you're saying, then I'd appreciate some clarification. I'm very interested in the phenomenon of "Christians" who think that Christ was basically an idiot.
Love your enemy! Would you love someone that tried to pull a gun on you and tried to kill you NO you would kill them first that is Common sense, The inherent Right to Self Defense and Duty. Like I said I'm tired of arguing with you.
Look, you are perfectly free to argue that the idea of loving your enemy is foolish. However, I have no idea how you are capable of saying that in the same breath in which you claim to be a Christian. Were you not aware that Jesus Christ commands you to love your enemies? Have you never read the Sermon on the Mount?
Yes, it's true that violently resisting your enemies would be "common sense." But that's not what Jesus did and it sure as heck isn't what he very clearly commanded his followers to do. There's nothing wrong with admitting that you're not a Christian, but it's absurd to suggest that you can be a Christian while you openly and blatantly mock Christ.
(Also, I don't know how you are "tired of arguing" with me. I'm the only one doing any real arguing. You are just calling me names and completely ignoring the very clear point that I've been trying to make. Seriously, you should read the bible-- they don't call it "The Good Book" for nothing.)
I'm not mocking your opinions or values you are entitled to them! Everyone has a different relationship with the Lord I know about the Bible alot about it. But we obviously do not think alike my ideas and values were skewered by Combat don't tell me what to do think or feel because you have not walked in my boots and I will not do the same with you!
If you know so much about the bible, then I would truly appreciate an explanation of what you think Jesus Christ meant when he told you to love your enemies, to turn the other cheek, to not resist evildoers etc., etc., etc.
I'm not asking this question to be a jerk. I am sincerely interested in the beliefs of people who claim to be Christian but don't have any problem with describing Christ's words and teachings as stupidity. You're hardly alone in having this view. My goal is not to mock you, but to learn more about your beliefs, to find out why a person who has come to reject Christ still thinks of themselves as being a Christian. I think it's an important question that we can have a real discussion about.
I have to step away from the computer for a few minutes, so please take your time in responding. I would sincerely appreciate the opportunity to learn more about your views and experiences.
What do you want to know?
A renowned professor once told me that our society does not deter senseless murder and mayhem. He then went on to say that in the dawn of civilization the ruler wanted to make rules for which his people will abide to. He made a proclamation and posted it everywhere a post could be made. The rule was to stop killing babies. Alas, some fool killed a baby. The ruler then sent people after the fool to face justice. He then summoned all the village people to a pit outside the village. Hungry dogs were thrown into the pit awaiting the fool. The ruler then told all the people that the fool killed a baby, and this is what will happen to him. He then threw the fool into the pit and the people watched. The ruler, once again, told the people that if anyone kills a baby, this is what will happen to them. Since then, society has respected the rule of not killing babies.
Has anyone heard of the hamster cage? It’s a prison open for public viewing and a mandatory middle school field trip. The inmate can’t see out, but can see his or her own reflection. Inmates wear no clothes for they don’t need to. It’s constantly 70 degrees. The cells walls are white except for the viewing wall which is a two-way mirror. One wall has an indentation with a ledge to allow a chalky paste of vitamins to squirt out for the inmate’s food. There is also a tube that holds water by capillary action. The toilet is simply a drain in the corner. Everyday a blast of soapy water hoses down the entire cell so the slightly slanted floor aims the water and waste to the drain. There is no noise. The light turns on at daybreak and off at dusk. They get their exercise by walking or running on a freely revolving part of the floor in a corner. They don’t get visitors, and are considered dead, for their only use is to be body parts for transplant patients anywhere around the world.
Deters: to discourage somebody from taking action or prevent something from happening, especially by making somebody feel afraid or anxious
So when does the case for the prosecution of the murderer Nidal Hasan become public?
I have no idea what "become public" means in this context. What I do know is that Hasan has been charged and that the case is working its way through the courts. In the meantime, he's being held in restrictive pre-trial custody. Or did you think that they let him out to play golf every day?
If you think you overseas to make friends and love people you wouldn't last very long!
Thanks, N. Serling, for a comment that in no sense responds to the post. Very enlightening.
See Lev, you DO NOT know everything...the Muslim Doc at Ft.Hood is right now in contempt of court because he is out of uniform because he won't shave...all of the sudden in custody he's gone Muslim and won't shave...won't repeat what ALL of us military folks would/will do to him, but that is what is currently going on with the killer Muslim doc at Ft Hood.
Said it before, say it again:
I hear a lot of my own frustration, but I refuse to let it turn to a desire for revenge.
Just curious...Does anyone know if they are going for the death penalty of the Dr./Major ....who killed the fellow soldiers at Ft. Hood, Texas?
If convicted yes he will get death!
PTSD....period!!!! Too many deployments...in a flipping War where we don't even belong! Those people have been killing each other for centuries, and we're supposed to change that and them? Give this man a break!! How can we penalize our own trained soldiers that protect us in a world that straps a suicide bomb on their own child??? He was involved in a WAR situation with PTSD.....get him some psychological help, not the lethal injection!
Unfortunately for Bales, PTSD isn't the same thing as legally insane. The standard for insanity is very, very difficult to prove, and it doesn't seem to apply in this case. (Essentially, the person has to have lost the capacity to distinguish between wrong and right-- if the reports about his statements are accurate, then it's very clear that he realized that he had done something wrong.) Generally speaking, we don't grant blanket immunity just because someone is suffering from a mental illness, although it can be considered as a mitigating factor in sentencing.
How about the death penalty for the Ft Hood killings
MAMASQEALER.... did you miss the "thanx for your service" part???
I just felt you were being emotionally ruff on the guy. My son also did 2 tours and saw crappy stuff. When they said, "you're going back....he pulled a Roberto Duran and said "No Mas". He got out at 6. Told me he might have stayed if not from "overuse and abuse of combat duty". He's got signs of stress.
Between you and me...if your son and nephew have been there done that...you make dam sure they know they can talk to you about ANYTHING. If they aren't comfortable with that...you know the military....line up the resources for them....just in case. If you have the slightest doubt that they are struggling....err on the side of safety. The walls these guys put up in their mind is to protect the ones they love against THEM.
The most common red flag is the statement, "I'm fine." when you who knows them well knows they are not. PTSD is like a lot of other ailments...they will push help away.
I was raised by a father WWII Pacific....PTSD was unheard of...but he had it. He was a great man (I'm prejudiced) but what he went through had a definite affect on his life. Being raised by him, I thought bootcamp was a picnic when I got there. :)
Once I got around my Viet Nam marines, I sure did recognize a LOT of similarities. Viet Nam made "the 1000 yard stare" a common term. I think that is when the issue started coming to light.
I make it a point to thank every Nam vet I meet today "for their service and sacrifice at the most difficult time for a soldier in U.S. history."
Am I on the SSGT's side.....hell, I look at him and see the same thing I've seen in so many. He stuck it out beyond the point of human endurance. Everybody has a breaking point....and a combat soldier with a weapon has devistating effects if nobody notices he's ready to crack."
Notice in the article, his buddy said, "I didn't think he was serious." His buddy is probly carrying some guilt, too.
Ya' can't ignore the politics either. Far as I'm concerned the only reason to proceed with punishment is the politically required dog and pony show.
Give him the death sentence, then commute it down the road. That way, WE WON'T BE HAVING SERVICEMEN KILLED IN AFGHANISTAN in retaliation for a perceived injustice by a people we just don't understand.In the meantime, he will be serving a sentence matching the circumstances of the crime, and getting the medical care he needs...Being a corpsman I do not differentiate between physical and psychiatric conditions....they are ALL medical.
You can't say to an Afghan, "This guy has done 4 tours trying to help you to have a freedom you've never known." All they see is a foriegn force and dead villagers.......Add to that an enemy who is just hoping we will let this guy off light so they can instigate more killing of soldiers (remember the Quran burning? Remember that idiotic movie?)
Killing children while they sleep? Hand him over to the Afghans.
How about you enlist/volunteer to go to war for 3-4 years away from your family and friends, your "normal" way of life and see if you come back any different, then you can have a voice in this discussion...
Would it have been less evil if he had woke the children first so they would know they were about to be killed? What was done defys reason, it mocks sanity, is indicative of severe psychological damage within the perpetrator, and is not representative of the U.S. soldier. We prefer our soldiers kill innocents during sanctioned actions only. We applaud the brave World War II pilots who carpet bombed German cities killing the guilty and the innocent with equal passion.
We Americans are hypocrites. We love a good war movie and many even love a so-called "righteous" war. But we are where we were not invited, killing innocents and guilty alike with our "smart" weapons and drones, and subjecting our innocents the men and women of the armed forces to a life-altering, mind-destroying activity called killing. Yes the armed forces have done much to bring health care to the needy, food to the hungry, and even housing to the homeless but hanging over all of it is a paternalistic attitude that got us in trouble in Vietnam and has hampered the entire war effort from the first Iraq war even until now.
Bringing our soldiers home is the best and bravest thing we can do. Freedom to be meaningfull and lasting must be bought with the blood of those who would be free. I attempted to find who originally made the statement but found so many candidates and similar remarks that I did not have the time to sort through all of it.
So weird and awkward those who have never deployed or served telling those who have the way it should be.
I agree and thanks for your service N Serling.
Air Force Veteran
I'm not buying the PTSD defense/argument at all. It was premeditated with malice aforethought and likely the guy is an adrenilin junkie with some serious hate issues. Key word in there is "Post." Post Traumatic. Most who suffer from PTSD hate violence far more than the average person can imagine. The memories of it. They are usually withdrawn, depressed and suffer high levels of anxiety and avoid violence. It breaks you emotionally and is like a monkey on your back daily and the last thing you want is to be reminded of war and what you experienced and avoid 'triggers' as best you can. Defense lawyers who try and induce it as a defense are pathetically in error in cases of this nature. I'm 100% permanent and total. We're all different, but, I'm not buying it as relevant in this case. I believe this man evolved into nothing more than a vengeful seriel killer. PTSD is not an issue of insanity. Insanity is a whole other ballgame. So, for all you armchair warriors out there who wish to be judgemental, you can forget using PTSD as an argument for causation. It's lame. PTSD is only a "disorder." Has squat to do with insanity.
War is ugly always has always will be! It never changes in Combat trying to kill someone you barely know enough to hate; and it is young men and women dying in the fullness there youth it makes people mean, bitter, and disfigured no one should be pointing fingers; unless you have walked in there boots.
I dont support the death penalty. As much as this guy deserves it, and is guilty beyond doubt it seems, I still think the state killing people is wrong. Its not sending a good message, it doesnt discourage murder. It promotes it. Its like the state saying, yes killing to get rid of problems is justified. Second, it can be argued that killing someone lets them out of their sentence and off the hook. 30 years in a concrete box is no picnic.
I think this guy should rot in a cell, in solitary confinement. And pay every second he owes in time. He will die on his own, and any justice in any afterlife, will happen in its own time anyway. But he needs to pay his bill here first.
If you do not support the Death Penalty how do you deter violent crime?
Is that you John Wayne? Is this me?
Where is the Choctaw helicopter with the Grunt on the M-60!
How can you shoot women and children?
Easy! You just don't lead 'em so much!
Anybody that runs is a VC; anybody that stands still is a Well Disciplined VC!
If he is sane, what was his motivation?
John Wayne
Oo-rah!
It's a machismo thing. You wouldn't understand.
Didn't you know they are putting "dishonor before death!" on their station patches now?
A shame he killed 16 Afghans. I would have just nuked the place in 2001 to deter terrorists.
(If you favor the death penalty for this guy on the grounds that it discourages murder, then you should favor wiping out Afghanistan to discourage groups like the Taliban and Al-Qaida.)
Strange how Bates is now on trail for his life for killing 16 Afghans in March of 2012, but Nidal Hasan (Fort Hood shooter) is untried after 3 YEARS and Khalid Sheik Muhammad (WTC Bomber in 1993 and 9/11/2001 conspirator) is still UNTRIED after 4 years of the Obama Administration! I don't have a problem with trying Bates, and if convicted executing him for killing innocent Muslims in Afghanistan. Apparently Mr. Obama, and his AG, and JAG office have great problems with trying Muslims for killing innocent Americans in America!!!
You know, there's PTSD, there's feelings of revenge from having your friends killed by IED's, I can understand drinking and just getting done watching Man on Fire, and being a bit deranged and going out and attacking some armed men.
Even with PTSD and a drink I can't understand shooting women and children. It doesn't make any sense.
You made me laugh. You have some valid points here. I think pinning the tail on Obama is going a bit far.