Schofield soldier accused of killing contractor in Iraq

Schofield soldier accused of killing contractor in Iraq

By Gregg K. Kakesako

POSTED: 10:21 a.m. HST, Sep 22, 2009

A 31-year-old Schofield Barracks soldier has been charged in the shooting death of an American civilian contractor on a U.S. base in Iraq.

Spc. Beyshee O. Velez, 31, is being held at the brig at Ford Island on two counts of murder, three counts of assault, and one count of fleeing apprehensions. He was charged on Monday.

He is accused of killing Lucas Vinson, 27, of Leesville, La., Sept. 13 at Contingency Operating Base Speicher near Tikrit in Iraq.

The Associated Press reported that the military told Vinson’s family that he was shot three times after offering a ride to an American soldier who flagged down his vehicle on the base.

The Army did not provide details.

Maj. Derrick Cheng, Army spokesman, said that although Velez is charged with two counts of murder, he can only be convicted of one of the two murder specifications. An investigating officer will review all evidence, and make recommendations on the disposition of the charges.

If Velez is convicted of murder at a court martial he could face a maximum sentence of life in prison and a dishonorable discharge.

Assault with a deadly weapon carries a maximum sentence of dishonorable discharge and eight years confinement. Fleeing apprehension carries a maximum sentence of a bad conduct discharge and one year confinement.

Velez is assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 7th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team.

Vinson was employed by the Houston-based KBR which is the primary contractor in Iraq, supporting troops with services, including housing, meals, mail delivery and laundry.

In July, Sgt. Miguel A. Vegaquinones, 33, pled guilty to involuntary manslaughter in the shooting death of Pfc. Sean McCune, 20, in Samarra on Jan 11. He was sentenced to three years in prison at his court martial held in Iraq.

The two soldiers were assigned to Schofield’s 3rd Brigade’s 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, and had just completed guard duty at Patrol Base Kaufman in Samarra.

The 3rd Bronco Brigade is completing a year’s tour in Iraq and most of its soldiers will be home by the end of next month. Six Bronco Brigade soldiers were killed in Iraq during the nearly yearlong deployment. Col. Walter Piatt commands the 3rd Brigade.

Source: http://www.starbulletin.com/news/breaking/60332382.html