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Ex-Soldier Backs Out Of Plea Agreement

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Posted: 5:37 PM Jul 7, 2008
Last Updated: 11:19 AM Jul 8, 2008
Reporter: Josh Earl
Email Address: jearl@kktv.com

4 comments

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A former soldier accused in the deaths of two enlisted men from Fort Carson was reported to have accepted a plea agreement to testify against his co-defendants. However, Bruce Bastian Jr, has now changed his mind.

His attorney, Richard Bednarski, notified a judge of the plea agreement on Thursday, but in an appearance on Monday afternoon, Bednarski informed the judge that his client had changed his mind.

His trial is now set to begin on July 28.

Bastien is currently charged with first-degree murder in the deaths of Pfc. Robert James in August and Spc. Kevin Shields in December.
Louis Edward Bressler is also charged with first-degree murder in both deaths. Kenneth Lee Eastridge faces charges of first-degree murder and accessory in Shields' death. He is not accused in James' death.

Bressler and Eastridge have pleaded not guilty.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: Nicole Location: Colorado Springs on Jul 30, 2008 at 02:12 PM
All of my sympathy goes out to Rose. I am so sorry this happened to you and your family.

Posted by: Babe Location: CT on Jul 25, 2008 at 02:20 AM
For the soilder that served with my bestfriend Bj thank you for stateing the fact that PTSD has a huge role in these events. Ive known Bj for most of my life and the day he returned from Iraq he was a completly diff person a complete stranger. I think people who havent served time in Iraq cant speak for the soilders who do suffer with PTSD.

Posted by: ROSE Location: AUSTIN, TEXAS on Jul 13, 2008 at 06:08 PM
I'M REALLY SICK OF HEARING ABOUT PTSD. I'M THE SISTER OF PFC ROBERT JAMES. HE WAS MURDERED BY THESE TWO EVIL CREATURES & I DON'T THINK THERE'S ANY EXCUSE WHATSOVER FOR ROBBERY & MURDER! ALOT OF PEOPLE SUFFER FROM THIS, BUT YOU DON'T SEE THEM GOING OUT ROBBING, STABBING OR MURDERING ANYONE! WHAT IF SOMEONE HAD MURDERED THEIR WIVES, CHILDREN OR FAMILIES??? HOW WOULD THEY FEEL THEN? ANYONE WITH COMMON SENSE KNOWS THERE'S NO EXCUSE FOR MURDER! AGAIN, I HOPE THEY ROT IN HELL!!!!!

Posted by: Soldier Location: Fort Carson on Jul 11, 2008 at 12:08 AM
I served with all three of these men I believe that PTSD played a major role in the events that occured, but for some reason no one is mentioning it.

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