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3rd ID soldier faces murder charges
Alleged crime a month ago in Iraq
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A Fort Stewart soldier who shot three fellow troops, killing two and wounding one, will face murder charges and a charge of attempted murder, according to a U.S. Forces-Iraq release received by the Coastal Courier on Thursday.
“The United States Army preferred murder charges under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) Wednesday against Spc. Neftaly Platero, 32, of 4th Advise and Assist Brigade (4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team), 3rd Infantry Division, at Camp Ramadi, Iraq,” the release reads.
Spc. Platero is being held in pretrial confinement at the Theater Field Confinement Facility at Camp Arifjan in Kuwait.
He is accused of shooting and killing Spc. John Carrillo Jr., 20, of Stockton, Calif., and Pfc. Gebrah P. Noonan, 26, of Watertown, Conn., on Sept. 23 in Fallujah, Iraq. Platero is also accused of shooting and wounding a third soldier, whose name has not been released by the defense department.
Carillo and Noonan were assigned to 3rd Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division. The 4th brigade deployed to Iraq in July.
Platero was charged with two specifications of premeditated murder, under Article 118 of the UCMJ, and one specification of attempted premeditated murder under Article 80 of the UCMJ.
The case is still under investigation, according to U.S. Forces-Iraq.
“The preferral of charges represents an accusation only; Spc. Platero is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The case will be processed in accordance with the Rules for Courts-Martial under the UCMJ,” the release reads. “The command has appointed an officer to preside over an Article 32 investigation, which is similar to a civilian grand jury hearing. The investigating officer will make findings and recommendations that the chain of command considers in determining whether to recommend the case be referred to trial by court martial.”
The release did not confirm whether Platero would be tried overseas or brought back to Fort Stewart for court martial.

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