It has come to light that the Army may have been aware of murders in Afghanistan by members of the 5th Stryker Brigade as far back as February.
21-year-old Spc. Adam Winfield was heard in interrogation tapes obtained by CNN telling investigators that he told his father in February about the murder of an Afghan civilian. Winfield said that he feared for his life, knowing that it was members of his platoon who had committed the crime. He is also heard stating that he was afraid that his comrades were on the prowl for more victims.
The tape further details Winfield describing how he overheard his platoon mates brag of the killing, which took place in January 2010, and how they had made it look like it was conducted in self-defense. Winfield also named Cpl. Jeremy Morlock and Staff Sgt. Calvin Gibbs, who are among five soldiers looking at murder charges for the killing of three civilians in Afghanistan that took place between January and May.
It is now apparent that a warning to the Army from Winfield’s father may have been ignored.
According to Winfield’s father, when he reported what his son had told him, the only response was that there was nothing to be done. His son was cautioned to lay low. Winfield himself is up for premeditated murder charges in the case.
The investigation into the murders continues, however the Pentagon released a statement saying: "Disclosure of the video recordings to the public at this juncture is troubling because it could adversely affect the fair and just administration of the military justice process."
