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Spotsylvania brother speaks about soldier's death at Fort Bragg Date published: 12/14/2008
BY ELLEN BILTZ The family of an Army paratrooper from Spotsylvania County who died in July wants to let those charged in his death know that they've been forgiven. "I truly belive that they were his battle buddies and they meant no harm," said Paul Brown, the older brother of Pfc. Luke Brown. Luke Brown, 27, a member of the 82nd Airborne stationed at Fort Bragg in North Carolina, was found dead in a car on the Army post July 20. Paul Brown said in an interview Friday that his family was told Luke Brown's cause of death was asphyxiation. He said his understanding is that Luke Brown and seven fellow soldiers were leaving a bar at night and the others struggled with Luke to get him home. Not wanting to take him back to the barracks, they left Luke in a car to sleep, Paul Brown said. The next day, he was found dead. Seven soldiers were charged Monday with involuntary manslaughter in Luke's death. All were fellow paratroopers in the 82nd Airborne, and Paul Brown said all were friends of his brother. Those charged are Sgt. Christopher Mignocchi, Sgt. Kyle G. Saltz, Sgt. Justin A. Boyle, Spc. Ryan Sullivan, Spc. Joseph A Misuraca, Spc. Charles B. DeLong and Pfc. Audrey Udalov. Boyle and Sullivan are additionally charged with communicating a threat and Mignocchi and Udalov are additionally charged with obstructing justice. Paul Brown said his family is very grateful for the way they've been treated by the Army. He said it has been supportive and helpful since his brother's death. But since they first found out the circumstances of the death, the family has said that they do not need charges against the soldiers to feel closure, Paul Brown said. "I know Luke has forgiven them," he said. "I've forgiven them. Our thoughts go out to these people and their families." He said the family understands that the Army has to cover its bases, and if the military feels charges are appropriate, then it's OK. But Paul Brown said he doesn't want the lives of seven more men to be lost in the process. "We don't want Luke's legacy to be seven court-martials. We want it to be compassion and kindness," he said. Ellen Biltz: 540/374-5424
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