Fingerprint testimony heard in fragging trial

[unhappycamper]

Fingerprint testimony heard in fragging trial
The Associated Press
Posted : Thursday Oct 30, 2008 6:02:12 EDT

FORT BRAGG, N.C. — An Army investigator said he looked for fingerprints on pieces of hand grenades and a grenade container after an explosion killed two officers on a U.S. military base in Iraq.

But investigator Paul Comesanas testified Wednesday that he didn’t know whether any prints belonged to New York Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Alberto Martinez, who is on trial for murder in the officers’ deaths. He has pleaded not guilty.

The Fayetteville Observer reported that Comesanas said some areas defense attorneys wanted tested were largely public, where items could have been handled by many people. But defense lawyers for Martinez, 41, of Troy, N.Y., contend the Army didn’t conduct a thorough investigation.

Comesanas said a print from the grenade container was sent to a lab that reported to another agent.

Martinez is charged in the 2005 bombing deaths of Capt. Phillip Esposito and 1st Lt. Louis Allen and faces a possible death sentence. They were members of the 42nd Infantry Division.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/10/ap_martinez_trial_102908/%2e