NC soldier expected in court

FAYETTEVILLE — A Fort Bragg soldier accused of murder in the death of the soldier pregnant with his child is expected in court.

Sgt. Edgar Patino of Hope Mills is scheduled to appear in Cumberland County court on Tuesday. The 27-year-old Patino is charged with murder in the death of 23-year-old Spc. Megan L. Touma
of Cold Spring, Ky.

Touma’s body was found June 15 at an off-post Fayetteville motel. She was seven months’ pregnant.

Investigators have said Touma and the married Patino began a relationship while both were stationed in Germany. Police said they believe the pair met in her motel room the day after she arrived at Fort Bragg.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)