State News

Trial delayed in 1995 Fort Bragg shootings

A military judge on Wednesday delayed the trial of Sgt. William J. Kreutzer Jr., who was accused of firing at a formation of 82nd Airborne Division paratroopers during morning exercise in 1995.

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Sgt. William Kreutzer
FORT BRAGG, N.C. — A former Fort Bragg soldier who opened fire on his own unit won't go on trial until next year.

A military judge on Wednesday delayed the trial of Sgt. William J. Kreutzer Jr., who was accused of firing at a formation of 82nd Airborne Division paratroopers during morning exercise in 1995.

One paratrooper was killed and 18 others were wounded during the shooting rampage on Fort Bragg.

Kreutzer was sentenced to death in 1996 at a court-martial, but a military appeals court overturned the sentence after ruling his first lawyers were ineffective.

The soldier's lawyers at past hearings have argued they aren't qualified to represent a soldier who may receive a death sentence if convicted at a second trial. The defense also has argued that the court-martial should be moved because the 82nd Airborne is headquartered at Fort Bragg.

 

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