WASHINGTON: A United States soldier who fled to North Korea final 12 months will plead responsible to desertion at a courtroom martial as a part of a plea deal, his lawyer mentioned.
Personal Second Class Travis King ran throughout the border from South Korea into North Korea in July final 12 months whereas on a sightseeing tour of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) that divides the Korean Peninsula.
North Korea expelled King in September and the US Military later charged him with desertion and a raft of different crimes.
King’s lawyer Frank Rosenblatt mentioned on Monday (Aug 26) that the US Military had charged the soldier with 14 offences and that he would plead responsible to 5 of them.
“He’ll plead responsible to 5 of these, together with desertion, three counts of disobeying an officer, and assault on a non-commissioned officer,” Rosenblatt mentioned in a press release.
“He’ll plead not responsible to the remaining offences, which the Military will withdraw and dismiss.”
King’s responsible plea and sentencing listening to would happen on Sep 20 at a courtroom martial in Fort Bliss, Texas, the lawyer mentioned.
“There, he’ll clarify what he did, reply a navy decide’s questions on why he’s pleading responsible, and be sentenced,” Rosenblatt mentioned.
Desertion carries a jail sentence of as much as 5 years.
“Travis is grateful to his family and friends who’ve supported him, and to all these outdoors of his circle who didn’t pre-judge his case based mostly on the preliminary allegations,” his lawyer mentioned.
