Fort Bragg sniper begins appeal of life sentence

FORT BRAGG, NC (AP) — A former Army marksman who shot 18 soldiers and killed an officer at Fort Bragg is appealing the life prison sentence for the 1995 crimes.

The Fayetteville Observer reported Friday that attorneys for William Kreutzer Jr. this week took the first step in the appeals process. Their reasons for an appeal don’t have to be filed with the military appeals court until later this month.

Kreutzer avoided a possible death sentence by pleading guilty in 2009 to one charge of premeditated murder and 18 other charges. A court had overturned the former Clinton, Md., man’s 1996 death sentence after deciding his defense lawyers were ineffective.

His pre-dawn sniper attack targeted soldiers gathered in a Fort Bragg stadium for an exercise run.
—
Information from: The Fayetteville Observer, http://www.fayobserver.com

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)