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Lawyers question prison care of Iraq shooting suspect

Officers are concerned about the soldier’s medical treatment at a prison in Washington state

By John Milburn
The Associated Press

FORT LEAVENWORTH, Kan. — Attorneys for an Army sergeant charged with killing five service members in Iraq in 2009 are concerned about the soldier’s medical treatment at a prison in Washington state.

The lawyers filed a request last month with the Army’s I Corps headquarters that Russell receive proper care. The 47-year-old Russell is accused of carrying out the deadliest act of soldier-on-soldier violence in the war in Iraq as he was nearing his third tour.

He’s awaiting court martial later this year.

Civilian lawyer James Culp says Russell is taking anti-depressive and anti-psychotic drugs that are causing his physical condition to deteriorate by elevating his heart rate, blood pressure and weight.

Maj. Chris Ophardt, a spokesman for I Corps, declined to comment Tuesday about the request from Russell’s attorneys.