SAN DIEGO (AP) — Defense attorneys for a Marine accused of fatally stabbing a fellow military member on a California Marine Corps base are arguing the death was a tragic accident and the two friends were playing around with a knife.
The Orange County Register reports Thursday that several troops testified that the death was an accident at a preliminary hearing at Camp Pendleton. Pfc. Raymond W. Begay faces charges of murder and obstruction of justice in the death of 18-year-old Pfc. Ethan Barclay-Weberpal.
The hearing — known as an Article 32 in the Uniform Code of Military Justice — allows the defense and prosecution to introduce evidence and arguments.
Barclay-Weberpal of Janesville, Wisconsin, was stabbed Jan. 16 while sitting in formation with Marines.