No capital murder trial for soldier accused in GI slayings

HOUSTON Government investigators say last year in Fallujah, Specialist /*Neftaly Platero*/ got into an argument with the soldiers and then opened fire, killing two and wounding a third. He was facing the death penalty, but that's now changed.

Platero's attorney tells us the commanding general has decided this will not be a capital case. Guy Womack says he laid out Platero's defense, including that no one saw Paltero with a weapon, he had no blood on his clothing and gunpowder residue was found only on the victims, and the referral was made. Jury selection begins in February.