Witness: Staff Sgt. Robert Bales seemed remorseful after alleged Afghan rampage

Army Staff Sgt. Robert Bales is seen in this undated photo. Bales is being held in the death of 16 Afghan civilians on March 11, 2012 / CBS

JOINT BASE LEWIS-McCHORD, Washington A U.S. soldier who served with the man accused of killing 16 Afghan civilians in a nighttime village rampage says he thought Staff Sgt. Robert Bales seemed remorseful after he was taken into custody.

Bales, 39, is accused of leaving his post in Kandahar province last March to attack two villages.

Defense witness 1st Sgt. Vernon Bigham testified Wednesday at a preliminary hearing that will help determine whether Bales faces a court martial on 16 counts of premeditated murder. He said he always thought Bales was a highly capable soldier.

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Bigham's testimony is one of many that suggest Bales was aware of the crime he had committed. Other soldiers have testified that Bales made a confession between the attacks on two villages, asked for help bleaching his blood-stained clothing and deliberately destroyed his computer.

A medic, Sgt. 1st Class James Stillwell, said in court Tuesday that when he asked Bales where the blood on his clothing had come from, the soldier shrugged.

"If I tell you, you guys will have to testify against me," Stillwell quoted him as saying.

Soldiers also testified that after being taken into custody, Bales told them, "I thought I was doing the right thing."

"It's bad, it's really bad," he reportedly added.

The remarks could pose a high hurdle for defense lawyers who have indicated that Bales' mental health will be a big part of their case. The testimony is part of a preliminary hearing being held to help determine whether the case goes to a court martial.

Video testimony from Afghan witnesses is set to begin Friday.

[geoh777]

He should be handed over to the Afghans. Maybe that would serve as a deterrent.

[LaserShow]

way to make them hate the USA even more.. you skinhead you should be ashmade to call yourself a marine you disgrace.. lets get you naked tie you like a hog and set the firing squad on your ass..

[geoh777]

He is army. Identify your opponent before attacking.

[stupa5]

Firing Squad!

[lloydbest1]

In situations where you are caught out doing something as outrageous as what Sgt. Bales is accused of doing, it's difficult to tell if the remorse is for doing the deed or the realization you're going to get your rear end handed to you for doing it.
It's becoming more clear that Bales knew what he was doing and that attempting to cover his crime is also an acknowledgement that it was wrong.
I'm not going to argue over whether he's insane or not; it doesn't matter. You are accountable for what you do and if you do something as out-of-bounds as gunning down and burning 16 (or so) innocent civilians you can expect incarceration - at least.
Genuine remorse can be considered a mitigating factor but only if some serious amends are made following....

[bobnjersey]

["If I tell you, you guys will have to testify against me," Stillwell quoted him as saying. It's bad, it's really bad," he reportedly added.]
-------------------------------------------
seems like he knew exactly what he did.

[thetruthwillout]

You commit the crime, you suffer the consequences. He knew what he was doing because he tried to cover it up. It's a sad situation but the truth is the truth and he needs to pay for his crimes. The innocent lives he took were the lives of people, just like you and me. He has no respect for human life.