JOINT BASE-LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. (AP) — A military hearing is under way at Joint Base Lewis McChord for an Army sergeant accused of killing Afghan civilians for sport and encouraging other soldiers to do the same.
Staff Sgt. Calvin Gibbs of Billings, Mont., faces charges that include murder, dereliction of duty and trying to impede an investigation. The 25-year-old Gibbs is the highest ranking of five soldiers charged after three civilians were killed during patrols in Kandahar Province this year.
Gibbs’ Article 32 hearing began Tuesday morning at the base south of Seattle. It is similar to a civilian grand jury proceeding, with a military officer determining whether there is enough evidence for a court martial. The hearing is expected to last two days.
Gibbs contends the deaths were appropriate under combat conditions.
