JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. (AP) — One of five soldiers accused of killing civilians in Afghanistan for sport has asked an Army judge to release him from jail while he waits for his court-martial, set for June.
Spc. Michael Wagnon has been confined at Joint Base Lewis-McChord since last June. He was originally accused of murdering a civilian and trying to destroy evidence. The Army has dropped the obstruction charge.
The News Tribune says Wagnon’s lawyers told military judge Lt. Col. Kwasi Hawks on Thursday that Wagnon is not a flight risk.
Hawks said he would consider releasing Wagnon.
Defense lawyers also asked the judge to dismiss the Army’s case. Investigating officer Maj. Michael Liles said in a Dec. 10 report that he found no evidence that Wagnon participated in premeditated murder.
