The attorney for the U.S. soldier accused of killing 16 Afghan civilians says his client has little memory of the massacre.
U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Robert Bales met with John Henry Browne, his lawyer, for the first time on Monday.
Browne says the 38-year-old Bales remembers some details before and after the killings, but not much else.
"He has some memories of before the incident and he has some memories of after the incident. In between, very little," Browne told The Associated Press by telephone from Fort Leavenworth, where Bales is being held.
Pressed on whether Bales can remember anything about the shooting, Browne said, "No," but added: "I haven't gotten that far with him yet."
Browne, a Seattle attorney, defended serial killer Ted Bundy and a thief known as the "Barefoot Bandit." He said he has handled three or four military cases.
Bales is scheduled to meet with his defense team again later this week.
Bales' wife, Karilyn, offered her condolences to the victims' families and said Monday she wants to know what happened.
She said her family and her in-laws are profoundly sad, and what they've read and seen in news reports is "completely out of character of the man I know and admire."
New details have also emerged about Bale's personal life. In 2001, he was accused of a financial scam that cheated an Ohio couple of their life savings. He reportedly still owes $1.5 million from the resulting arbitration ruling.
Meanwhile, Bales' friends and neighbors still can't believe he could be guilty of killing innocent people.
"I really feel sorry for the guy and his wife. And did he snap over there? I think he did," said his neighbor Dick Mase.
Bales has not been charged in the March 11 shooting spree, though that could come later this week.
If convicted, he could face life in prison or the death penalty.
