LEAVENWORTH, Kan. — The Army Staff Sergeant accused of killing 16 Afghanistan civilians a little more than a week ago met with his legal team for the first time Monday. Seattle-based Attorney John Henry Browne arrived at the military prison early Monday morning. Charges against Sergeant Bales are expected this week.
FOX 4’s Mitch Weber learned Fort Leavenworth officials are not changing security measures because of the high profile prisoner. A Fort Leavenworth spokesperson told us it is business as usual here, They are used to high profile cases.
His high profile attorney – John Henry Browne spent most of Monday inside the military prison meeting with his client. Fort Leavenworth Spokesperson Rebecca Steed says the meeting is considered a privilege visit.
Rebecca Steed says, “The only thing I can really tell you at the moment is that meetings with lawyers or legal teams are considered privilege visits unlike a regular visit such as with a friend who wanted to come visit him. Privilege visits have a little more privacy than non-privileged visits, similar to what a medical appointment might be.”
After his meeting with his legal team wraps up in the next couple days, Sgt. Bales will be treated like another other pre-trial prisoner.
Rebecca Steed says, “I do know that they separate the pre-trial from the post trial because the pre-trial service members you know are innocent until proven guilty and so we don’t want there to be any assumption that they are part of the post trial population. So when they go to eat, when they go to their recreational, medical, all the services that they receive, they’re constantly separated pre-trial vs. post-trial.”
Sgt. Bales’ day will starts at 5 am. After showering and cleaning his cell he is escorted to the dining facility at 5:15 am. During breakfast prisoners set separately. For an hour between two and three in the afternoon prisoners go to the outdoor recreation center where they can lift weights and play different sports like basketball. Prisoners are then given two hours starting at 4:35 pm for indoor activities including the library. Approved visitation begins at 7 pm and lasts until 9 in the evening. The facility is locked down and all lights are out by 10:05.
Ft. Leavenworth officials expect Bales’ Attorney John Henry Browne and his legal team to be here until at least mid-week.
