Sergeant Goes On Trial In Deadly Sniper Attack

An Army sergeant goes on trial today in last fall’s deadly sniper shooting on soldiers from his own unit.

Sgt. William J. Kreutzer’s defense is expected to focus on his mental state during the Oct. 27, 1995, sniper attack in the heart of the 82nd Airborne Division area. He faces the death penalty if convicted.

Kreutzer, 27, of Clinton, Md., was charged with murdering Maj. Stephen Mark Badger and wounding 18 others.

A court-martial panel of five officers and seven enlisted soldiers will decide guilt or innocence.

Kreutzer pleaded guilty to non-capital murder May 9, but his plea wasn’t accepted by a military judge because prosecutors are seeking the death penalty on a capital murder charge.