RELEASE NUMBER: 080918-01
DATE POSTED: SEPTEMBER 18, 2008

PRESS RELEASE: Newell arraigned for alleged murder and desecration of Afghan male

U.S. Army Special Forces Command Public Affairs Office

FORT BRAGG, N.C. (USASOC News Service, September 18, 2008) — Master Sgt. Joseph D. Newell, 38, was arraigned here yesterday on charges stemming from the alleged murder and desecration of an unidentified Afghan male encountered by U.S. forces during combat operations near Hyderabad, Afghanistan in March of this year.

Newell, who is currently assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) Fort Bragg, N.C., was formally charged with violation of Article 118 (murder) and Article 134 (desecration of a dead body).

The court-martial trial is currently scheduled to begin January 7, 2009.

For more information, contact the USASFC(A) Public Affairs Office at 910-432-4587.

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