Trial Begins For Oklahoma Soldier Charged In Death

Associated Press

FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. (AP) -- An Army soldier begins his trial this week at Fort Campbell on charges that he murdered an Iraqi detainee.

Prosecutors say 1st Lt. Michael Behenna of Edmond, Oklahoma, shot Ali Mansour Mohammed in the head and chest, then used an incendiary grenade to burn his body. The incident occurred near Beiji, 115 miles north of Baghdad, in May 2008.

Last week, Staff Sgt. Hal M. Warner of Braggs pleaded guilty to assault, maltreatment of a subordinate and making a false statement in the case. Warner agreed to testify against Behenna and was sentenced 17 months in prison.

2/18/2009 Related story: Braggs Soldier Sentenced In Assault

Behenna is charged with premeditated murder, assault and making a false official statement.

Both were assigned to the 101st Airborne Division, based at the sprawling military post on the Kentucky-Tennessee line.