Going on the article, he wasn't cleared. There was a lot of evidence against him, but (and I assume the US pro-perp justice system was a factor) not enough for a trial. Perhaps the technical term might be, 'offence not proved.'
But in general, yes, it's okay, to draw an opinion from published articles and argue a view based on that. I have an enormous respect and gratitude for the military, but I don't deify individual soldiers, the way some do here.