Soldier accused of fragging to receive hearing

Soldier accused of fragging to receive hearing
Posted : Tuesday Oct 16, 2007 19:41:58 EDT

An Article 32 hearing for a soldier accused of fragging two officers in Iraq has been scheduled for 9 a.m. Thursday at Fort Bragg, N.C., according to an Army press release.

The term “frag” dates back to the Vietnam War and means to kill or assault a superior.

Staff Sgt. Alberto Martinez, of Schaghticoke, N.Y., has been charged in connection with the deaths of Capt. Phillip T. Esposito and 1st Lt. Louis E. Allen of the 42nd Infantry Division, New York National Guard, near Tikrit in 2005.

In September, following a motion from the defense, a military judge reopened the Article 32 hearing, which is similar to a grand jury proceeding.

The judge, Col. Patrick Parrish, also directed the general court-martial convening authority, Lt. Gen. Lloyd Austin, commander of the XVIII Airborne Corps and Fort Bragg, to appoint a new investigating officer for the hearing.

During the proceeding, the defense will be allowed to present extenuating and mitigating evidence, to include evidence of Martinez’s mental capacity.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2007/10/army_article32_071016w/