NC: US Army officer found guilty in Afghanistan shootings

 

Lake Wylie Pilot

VERBATIM

 

The Associated Press

 

FORT BRAGG, N.C. -- 

A jury at Fort Bragg has found an 82nd Airborne Division lieutenant guilty of two counts of murder in connection with a series of shootings in Afghanistan.

1st Lt. Clint Lorance was found guilty Thursday. He was found not guilty of making a false official statement.

Lorance was sentenced to 20 years in prison, forfeiture of all pay and dismissal from the U.S. Army.

Prosecutors said Lorance ordered his men to open fire immediately, in violation of the military's rules of engagement, which requires soldiers to hold fire unless they have evidence of hostile action or hostile intent. They said three men on a motorcycle approached the patrol in July 2012. Two were killed and the third ran away.

Attorneys for Lorance said he was trying to protect his unit.