Military Hearing For Suspected Afghanistan Shooter Staff Sgt. Robert Bales Starts Today At JBLM

The long-awaited military trial for suspected Afghanistan shooter Staff Sgt. Robert Bales begins today, and the eyes of the military world will be focused on the South Sound.

The Lake Tapps man - who is assigned to 2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment at Joint Base Lewis-McChord - is suspected of going on a nighttime killing spree March 11 in Afghanistan.

In his Article 32 hearing, he faces the following charges, or specifications:

• 16 specifications of premeditated murder
• six specifications of premeditated murder
• seven specifications of assault
• two specifications of possessing and using steroids
• one specification of wrongfully consuming alcohol while deployed.

Bales -who has spent most of his time in confinement at Fort Leavenworth, KS - was transferred to JBLM last month.

The hearing is expected to garner attention worldwide, as the killings sparked outrage in the Middle East and beyond. It also served as a flashpoint for the mental and personal distress soldiers who have been deployed multiple times face.

Patch is one of the outlets that will attend the hearing. Check back for updates.