Bragg soldier won’t face death penalty

[unhappycamper]

Bragg soldier won’t face death penalty
The Associated Press
Posted : Thursday Jan 7, 2010 8:12:49 EST

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — Prosecutors say an Army sergeant accused of killing a pregnant soldier will not face the death penalty if convicted.

The Fayetteville Observer reported Thursday that prosecutors determined the murder of 23-year-old Spc. Megan Touma of Cold Spring, Ky., did not warrant capital punishment.

Sgt. Edgar Patino of Hope Mills is charged with first-degree murder. He was arrested in July 2008, a month after Touma was found dead in a bathtub in a Fayetteville motel. She was seven months pregnant and had been at Fort Bragg for less than two weeks.

Lawyers plan to meet Friday to discuss Patino’s bond. He is being held in the Cumberland County jail.

Authorities say Patino and Touma had been stationed together in Germany. He has admitted being the father of her unborn baby.


Article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2010/01/ap_army_bragg_patino_touma_010710/