U.S. Soldier Behind Afghan Massacre Apologizes For 'Act Of Cowardice' -- Reuters
(Reuters) - A decorated U.S. soldier who gunned down 16 unarmed Afghan civilians in a nighttime rampage last year apologized on Thursday at a sentencing hearing to determine his fate, calling the killings "an act of cowardice."
Army Staff Sergeant Robert Bales, a veteran of four combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, has admitted to shooting the villagers, mostly women and children, in attacks on their family compounds in Kandahar province in March 2012.
"I am truly, truly sorry to all the people whose family members I have taken away. I have murdered their families," Bales told a jury in a military courtroom in Washington state, choking up at times. "What I did is an act of cowardice behind a mask of fear, bullshit and bravado."
Read more ....
More News On US Soldier Sergeant Robert Bales Apologizing At His Sentencing For ‘Act Of Cowardice’ In Afghan Massacre
Apology, but No Explanation, for Massacre of Afghans -- New York Times
Robert Bales, U.S. soldier behind Afghan massacre, apologizes for "act of cowardice" -- CBS/AP
'Act of cowardice': US soldier behind Afghan massacre apologizes -- NBC
Army sergeant says Afghan killing spree was 'act of cowardice' -- CNN
Sgt Robert Bales apologises for Afghan massacre -- BBC
'I'm truly, truly sorry to those people whose families got taken away': Soldier who slaughtered 16 innocent Afghan villagers apologizes for rampage as judge cuts short victims' families' speech -- Daily Mail
