Army death-penalty case delayed

[SR-25]

Sergeant accused in grenade attack that killed two

FORT BRAGG, North Carolina (CNN) -- A military judge Tuesday delayed the start of the death penalty court-martial proceedings against Army Sgt. Hasan Akbar until February 15, almost two years after the grenade attack that killed two U.S. officers during the first days of the war on Iraq.

Akbar's defense lawyers entered a not-guilty plea for him Tuesday. He could face execution if convicted.

The judge told Akbar's lawyers to let the court know before trial if they are planning an insanity defense. His attorneys have retained a mental health expert.

The court-martial had been scheduled to begin October 25. The trial will be at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

Akbar was a combat engineer with the 326th Engineer Battalion of the 101st Airborne Division.

Two officers were killed and 14 others injured when grenades were tossed into three tents at Camp Pennsylvania -- the Kuwaiti headquarters of the division's 1st Brigade -- on March 22, 2003, just four days after the start of the war in Iraq.

Akbar faces two counts of premeditated murder and three other counts of attempted murder, one for each tent that was attacked.

Army Capt. Christopher Seifet, 27, was killed in the fragging attack. Maj. Gregory Stone, 40, died later of his wounds.

Another officer testified in earlier proceedings that when he confronted Akbar, he threw him down on his face and asked, "Did you do this? Did you bomb the tent?" He said Akbar answered, "Yes."

The defense has argued the testimony should be barred at trial because Akbar was not read his rights first. The presiding officer, Col. Stephen Henley, scheduled another hearing for December 2 to rule on the various pre-trial motions.

Henley set February 15 next year as the date to begin selecting the 12-person jury which will try Akbar in the death case. No date was announced for the start for testimony.

Akbar is imprisoned, pending trial, at Fort Knox, Kentucky. Fort Bragg has no such holding facility.

[SGTBelcher29]

That fucking piece of shit.

Sorry fella's. But fuck that piece of shit. What's sad is that an NCO recently went thru a court martial and was sentenced for actions tha occured during the war. During. And that Akbar fuck, he fragged those guys before the war, and we're still dick dancing with that shit.

grrr......

[Field_Sailor]

There is not a punishment severe enough for someone like that. I despise him worst that a terrorist. To hell with him.

[Ram0528]

I think they need to fry his ass

[USMCRET6391]

Originally Posted by Ram0528

I think they need to fry his ass

What about the rest of him?

[Field_Sailor]

USMCRET, close your ears please.

They should just fry his ass, and let him suffer for a while. I said I was "kinda" against torture before, but... this time I think I could turn a blind a eye, and pick up some salt myself.

[Amy23Army]

this guy is a disgrace to our military. it really pissed me off when it happened, i was preparing for my deployment over there when he attacked those tents. he attacked them with no care for anything. he's a complete terorist and should die like a terrorist. yeah, fry his ass, fry it real good and then drop him in a pit and let him scream.

sorry, hes a digrace to our military and a HUGE dishonor to the NCO Corp.

AMK OUT!

[Rusty24]

I had the honor of meeting Maj. Stone before he deployed. He came to Bragg to get a couple of last minute checks on Bragg Range before he left. What alot of people don't know is that he was in the guard and volunteered to go.

R.I.P Brother

It's too bad that we have to wait for his trial. it would have been better and made a lot more sence for him to have had his trial and his execution right then and there. Our country was at war when he did it, making him a traitor. What ever happend to firing squads?

[Rusty24]

I'll buy my own bullets and weapon to be on that one. Assault Ban has been lifted

[Grimmy]

I fail to see any reason why summery execution would have been out of line in this case.

He was caught in the act. He's an avowed muslim extremist. There is no possible reason to need a sitting court in this case. He is a murderer and a traitor during time of war.

Hold one!! Maybe it's all due to his "people" knowing kerry's "people" and his "people" are awaiting the election results to see if kerry's "people" will drop the charges and award him with some sort of bravery medal?

He was shot in the leg by a US Soldier...maybe to kerry's "people" that qualifies him for a purple heart too...seeing as how he was shot by their common enemy.

[Field_Sailor]

Hell, I'll buy the ammunition. One of my best friends is apart that unit. When I first heard, I thouht it was a sick joke. then I just angry. Man, the days I ahve wished for a local rifle range.