Article 32 Hearing: Continued Testimony

Guard Testifies Soldier Charged with Premeditated Murder Said Attack was Fisher's Idea

Officials continue with a second day of testimony at the Article 32 hearing for Specialist (SPC) Justin R. Fisher charged in connection with the murder of Private First Class (PFC) Barry Winchell. SPC Fisher has been charged with allegedly participating as a principal to the premeditated murder; acting as an accessory after the fact; making false statements under oath; and obstructing the investigation.

An Article 32 hearing is the military's equivalent of a grand jury hearing and will determine whether the case against SPC Fisher will proceed to general court-martial. An Article 32 hearing for Private (PVT) Calvin Glover, who has been charged with allegedly committing the premeditated murder of PFC Winchell, was held on August 9th-10th.

Eight witnesses testified at the Article 32 hearing yesterday. SPC Carlos Rodriguez, who guarded PVT Glover after he was taken into custody, testified that Glover told him that it was Fisher's idea to attack PFC Winchell. SPC Rodriguez also testified that Glover said that Fisher suggested throwing the body in the river.

PVT Benjamin Boyea, a member of PFC Winchell's unit, testified that he had heard rumors that PFC Winchell was gay from other soldiers in his platoon. According to PVT Boyea, the words "fag" and "faggot" were commonly used by other soldiers in the unit. PVT Boyea stated that Sergeant (SGT) Michael Kleifgen, his platoon section leader, told Boyea and other soldiers that "I have a soldier who is gay. I have a soldier I could get out of the Army if I wanted to." PVT Boyea also testified that SPC Fisher had talked about a fight between PVT Glover and PFC Winchell prior to the attack and that Fisher had said a number of times that Glover "got his ass kicked by a faggot."

Contribute to G/L Issues

to help with our expenses