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Attorney: Bales 'Doesn’t Remember Everything' Of Night Of Massacre

Staff Sergeant Robert Bales
Courtesy Maj. Brent Clemmer
/
U.S. Army
Staff Sergeant Robert Bales

The lead attorney for the western Washington soldier accused of killing 16 Afghan civilians says his client has gaps in his memory about the night of the massacre.  Seattle lawyer John Henry Browne met with Staff Sergeant Robert Bales  Monday for seven hours at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. That’s where Bales is being held in pretrial detention. After the meeting, Browne told reporters that his client’s state of mind is “confused.”  “He doesn’t remember everything of the evening in question. That doesn’t mean he has amnesia.”

Browne says he expects Bales to be charged this week. Meanwhile, Karilyn Bales, the sergeant's wife, released a statement, offering her condolences to the families of those killed. She writes, "What has been reported is completely out of character of the man I know and admire.” Karilyn Bales goes on, “Please respect me when I say I cannot shed any light on what happened that night so please do not ask."

Jeremy Staab contributed to this report.

Copyright 2012 Northwest News Network

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