Testimony Could Help Idaho Soldier

The first of five U.S. soldiers accused of murdering Afghans for sport pleaded guilty in court yesterday but some of his testimony could help another soldier from the group, Private First Class Andrew Holmes of Boise. The trial for 22-year old Specialist Jeremy Morlock ended with an admission of the role he played in the killings of three unarmed civilians. In exchange for guilty pleas to murder, conspiracy,  obstructing justice and illegal drug use, a judge sentenced him to 24 years in prison. Holmes could be the next soldier headed to trial at Joint Base Lewis McChord. In charging documents, the military alleges he shot a rifle and threw a grenade at an Afghan civilian in January 2010. He's also accused of keeping a finger bone and taking pictures with corpses. Much of the military's case is built on statements made by Morlock when he told investigators Staff Sgt. Calvin Gibbs selected victims and ordered the executions.   Holmes’ attorney Daniel Conway believes some of Morlock's testimony from Wednesday will benefit his client. Conway says that Morlock has changed his tune about the alleged January killing too many times.  Holmes' trial is tentatively scheduled to begin in a couple months but Conway has filed many motions on his behalf.