Idahoan admits Afghan murder

JOINT BASE LEWIS-McCHORD, Wash. – An Idaho soldier among five charged in the thrill-killings of Afghan civilians last year pleaded guilty to a murder charge Thursday, confessing in court that he fired a heavy machine gun at a startled, unarmed man from 15 feet away after a co-defendant tossed a grenade at him.

“I knew I should have taken cover, but instead I pulled the trigger,” Pvt. 1st Class Andrew Holmes, of Boise, told the judge.

The soldiers from Joint Base Lewis-McChord were arrested in Afghanistan last year. Prosecutors said they killed three civilians for sport during patrols in January, February and May.

Holmes, 21, was accused of directly participating in the first killing, and he was initially charged with conspiracy, premeditated murder and other charges. In a deal with prosecutors, he pleaded guilty to murder by an inherently dangerous act, possessing a finger bone from his victim and smoking hashish.

Holmes told the judge, Lt. Col. Kwasi Hawks, that one of the ringleaders of the plot, then-Cpl. Jeremy Morlock, had frequently talked about killing civilians and suggested ways they could do it. As they left on patrol on Jan. 15, 2010, Morlock told Holmes to grab an illicitly obtained grenade out of his tent because “something might happen” – and Holmes complied.

Morlock tossed it at a young man even though the man was obviously unarmed and posed no threat, Holmes said. Then, he ordered Holmes to shoot.

“I looked at the young man. He was standing there like a deer in the headlights,” Holmes told the judge in a clear, steady voice. “I fired six to eight rounds at the man, and I’ve regretted it ever since.”

Holmes and Morlock posed for photographs holding up the head of the victim. Holmes’ lawyer, Dan Conway, has insisted he was ordered to pose.

Holmes is expected to be sentenced today. No sentencing recommendations by prosecutors or the defense under the terms of the plea deal were immediately disclosed. Under military law, a person can be convicted of murder even if the act is not premeditated – if, for example, the actions of the defendant were taken in disregard of human life.

Conway blamed Holmes’ troubles on the unluckiness of being assigned to a unit with Morlock.