[xzins]

Huh? Considering how the accused violated General Order #1 by consuming alcohol in a war zone, went AWOL off of his lightly manned FOB (thus putting his fellow soldiers at risk) and proceeded to murder unarmed men, women & children, the issue of ROE’s is superfluous.

You have no idea if any of what you just wrote is even true.

I had a soldier one night don camo, paint his face, and prowl our base because he believed he was a Delta operative.

Turns out it was some kind of adult onset psychosis.

I had another, a sergeant first class, who had an angel in a tree tell him to take over the preaching in a church that was meeting down the road. He walked in and tried to take over.

Again...adult onset psychosis.

What should we have done with them?

[KantianBurke]

“What should we have done with them?”

1) Disarmed them
2) Removed them from the battle space under guard
3) Hospitalization

Keeping them in the FOB, armed, should be considered dereliction of duty.

Meanwhile, considering how the accused, when he straggled back on to base, surrendered, refused to answer questions & “lawyered up,” am somewhat skeptical of the psycho defense.

[jazusamo]

Well said, xzins.

KB, if I recall correctly has a habit of ignoring the presumption of innocence so I'd think it if a mental disorder is involved he'd ignore that also.

[MEG33]

This action by Bales seems so out of character from what I’ve read..I believe he had a mental breakdown of some sort..I know his family and friends are suffering, too..
This was a tragic event..War is hell.
Prayers for all.

[Scotswife]

ok...so the theory is he had some sort of mental collapse?

I can’t imagine what would drive someone to point weapons at innocent children.

This is so horrifying.