FORT BRAGG, N.C., Dec. 5 (UPI) -- A military jury in Fort Bragg, N.C., acquitted an army staff sergeant in the deaths of two officers at a military base in Iraq.
Family members of the victims screamed in disbelief after the jury announced it found U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Alberto B. Martinez innocent in the deaths of Capt. Phillip Esposito and 1st Lt. Louis Allen, The Fayetteville (N.C.) Observer reported Friday.
"He slaughtered our husbands and that's it!" screamed Barbara Allen, wife of the slain lieutenant.
The three were in a unit of the 42nd Infantry Division of the New York National Guard.
Martinez was accused of using a mine to kill Esposito and Allen in June 2005 while the three were stationed in Tikrit after months of animosity built up between Martinez, a supply sergeant, and Esposito, his superior officer, the Observer reported. Esposito and Allen were killed when a mine exploded in the window of Esposito's office, followed by the detonation of three grenades.
The acquittal means Martinez will be released from custody. He had been jailed since June 2005.
Charges of disobeying orders and giving military property to an Iraqi against Martinez were dismissed earlier this year.
