Brother defends Hawaii-based soldier accused in Iraq killing
By Peter Boylan
Advertiser Staff Writer
The brother of a Schofield soldier charged with murder in connection with the death of an Iraqi man said his brother is a decorated war hero who would never kill without justification.
Jeffrey J. Corrales of San Antonio said his brother, Army Sgt. 1st Class Trey A. Corrales, is doing "OK." His brother spoke with his parents by telephone from Forward Operating Base McHenry, where he is not in confinement but has limited duties, Jeffrey Corrales said.
Trey Corrales is a 14-year Army veteran who has earned two Bronze Stars and an Audie Murphy award for combat performance in Afghanistan, his brother said.
"This is ridiculous what they're doing to him," said Corrales, in a telephone interview yesterday. "Of course I stand behind my brother 100 percent."
Corrales said his brother's wife, Lily, is an Army veteran and that the couple lives on the Aliamanu Military Reservation with their two children. Attempts to reach Lily Corrales yesterday were unsuccessful.
Trey Corrales was one of two Hawai'i-based soldiers charged Wednesday with the premeditated murder of an Iraqi, according to the U.S. military.
Corrales, of San Antonio, and Spc. Christopher P. Shore of Widner, Ga., were charged with one count of murder in the death, which allegedly occurred June 23 near the northern city of Kirkuk, the military said in a statement.
The soldiers are assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, which is part of the 25th Infantry Division based at Schofield Barracks. The unit is attached to Multinational Division-North.
No date has been set for an Article 32 hearing, which will be held in northern Iraq, said Lt. Col. Michael Donnelly, a spokesman for Multinational Division-North. An Article 32 hearing is similar to a civilian grand jury proceeding that determines whether the case moves toward a trial.
Donnelly said if the case proceeds to court-martial, it would likely take place at Schofield.
The battalion commander, Lt. Col. Michael Browder, was relieved of his command in connection with the investigation, although he is not a suspect and has not been charged, the military said.
Advertiser Staff Writer William Cole and the Associated Press contributed to this report.Reach Peter Boylan at pboylan@honoluluadvertiser.com.
