There was mention that alcohol was found in the living area of the assailant. Some of the witnesses to the killings said that the assaliant shouted like he was drunk. If alcohol was a factor in the mental capacity of the assailant, would alcohol be a mitigating factor? If alcohol was imbibed, and there is not supposed to be any alcohol in Afghanaisgtan, then might imbibing alcohol be an aggrivating factor? Were other soldiers involved in getting the assailant alcohol? Should other soldiers be charged as acceessories, for providing the alcohol?
Was any other contraband found when the outpost was searched? Were other legal or illegal drugs found? Was there any abuse of drugs by the assailant in the days leading up to Sunday, March 11, 2012? If the assailant ingested illegal drugs, should this be a Mitigating or an Aggravating factor? Was there sufficient mental capacity to form intent for murder?
This soldier going off, with 16 dead, maybe should give a warning to other soldiers in areas of trust in the world, to maintain sobriety. Maybe this assailant is not guilty of murder bedause he was too intoxicated to from an intent to murder. But on the other hand, if a soldier is in a position of trust, doesn't the soldier owe those foreigners in his charge, at least his sobriety of judgement?
Since Alcohol is forbidden in Islam, and alcohol generally not avaiable in Afghanistgan, would it be a cultural insult to Afghans, to give the assailant a break b ecause he was drunk?
What otehr factors need to be considered at Trial, sentencing, and in charging other soldiers?
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