Charged with second-degree murder of Taliban insurgent
Capt. Robert Semrau is in court today facing court martial proceedings. Semrau is charged with second degree murder, attempting to commit murder, behaving in a disgraceful manner, and negligently performing a military duty. The charges refer to Oct. 19, 2008, when Semrau and his troops were ambushed by Taliban insurgents in the Helmand region of Afghanistan. They managed to fight off the ambush, and found two insurgents: one dead, the other wounded. According to a joint statement, the insurgent was wounded too severely for treatment, and when Semrau was left alone with the injured man, two shots were heard. An unnamed witness will testify he saw Semrau shoot the man. The body was left behind and not recovered.