Witnesses For Military Murder Trial Killed

Helicopter Crash Killed Witnesses In Corrales, Shore Trial

Witnesses For Military Murder Trial Killed

By KITV Honolulu

August 26, 2007

Honolulu – KITV has learned that many of the Hawaii-based soldiers killed in a helicopter crash this week in Iraq were witnesses in the murder trial of two Schofield soldiers.

Hawaii-based soldiers Sgt. 1st Class Trey Corrales and Spc. Christopher Shore are charged with premeditated murder of an Iraqi civilian.

KITV’s Denby Fawcett reported that soldiers killed in the crash Wednesday were in the platoon of Sgt. 1st Class Trey Corrales.

Corrales was their sergeant until he was reassigned after he was charged with the pre-mediated murder. Some who perished in the crash had been scheduled to testify against Corrales, Fawcett said.

“It could have a very dramatic impact if those witnesses are key witness and their testimony cannot be presented in some other form,” military law attorney Eric Seitz said

Corrales’ lawyer is Texas attorney Frank Spinner. When reached by phone, he declined to comment.

Corrales is accused of shooting of an Iraqi detainee several times on June 23 and allegedly ordered Shore, who was Corrales’ subordinate, to keep shooting the man who later died.

The Army said fellow soldiers reported the killing.

“If these witnesses are no longer alive, there is no way for the accused or their counsel to question them. Unfortunately, it could mean that there is no trial,” retired military lawyer Earle Partington said. “Obviously, it depends on what witnesses the government still has.”

Seitz said the case against Corrales and Shore might progress if both parties and the court agree to allow previous statements from now dead witnesses to be presented in court.

“If I were the defense lawyer, I certainly would object, at some point, to going forward in a case where my witnesses have not been allowed to be made available,” Seitz said.

Corrales wife, Lily, and their children live on Oahu at Aliamanu Military Reservation.

Lily Corrales declined to be interviewed on camera, but over the phone she said she was devastated about the deaths of her husbands’ fellow soldiers.

“This was our military family. We are devastated. Our hearts and prayers go to the families, their loved ones and to the soldiers who gave their lives,” she said.

Trey Corrales and Shore could face the death penalty if convicted of pre-meditated murder.

Their preliminary court proceeding will be held in Hawaii in mid-October, officials said.

External link: http://www.thehawaiichannel.com/news/13977406/detail.html