Ex-GI to testify in slaying of fellow Iraq war vet

By Dennis Huspeni, The Gazette

Published July 4, 2008 at 2:05 p.m.
Updated July 5, 2008 at 12:23 a.m.

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Bruce Alan Bastien Jr.

Louis Edward Bressler

Kenneth L. Eastridge

Kevin Shields

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One of three former soldiers accused of killing a fellow Iraq war veteran in Colorado Springs has reached a deal with prosecutors and will testify against the others.

Bruce Bastien Jr., 22, is charged with first-degree murder in the Dec. 1 shooting death of Spc. Kevin Shields and the Aug. 4 robbery and shooting death of Pfc. Robert James.

Bastien's attorney, Richard Bednarski, told 4th Judicial District Judge Theresa Cisneros on Thursday that they had reached a deal with prosecutors and that his client will enter a plea on Monday.

Deputy District Attorney Jack Roth would not provide specifics of the deal.

Bednarski also declined to comment.

Former Fort Carson soldier Kenneth Lee Eastridge, 24, also has been charged with first-degree murder and accessory in Shields' death.

He pleaded not guilty and is scheduled to stand trial July 28.

Former soldier Louis Edward Bressler - the alleged triggerman in both James' and Shields' deaths - is charged with first-degree murder in both cases. His trial in the Shields' homicide is scheduled for Aug. 11.

Eastridge was in Iraq when James was shot and is not charged in that case.

Bastien told investigators from the Colorado Springs Police Department and the Army's Criminal Investigation Division that he saw Bressler shoot Shields and James, according to arrest affidavits.

Deputy District Attorney Robin Chittum said in court that prosecutors will interview Bastien after he enters a plea.

It is unclear if the plea agreement will cover Bastien's alleged involvement in both homicides.

Also Thursday, Cisneros ruled the district attorney's office will not be kicked off the Bressler case.

Bressler's court-appointed attorney, Ed Farry, filed a motion asking Cisneros to disqualify prosecutors from District Attorney John Newsome's office because he took Colorado Springs police Detective Derek Graham to a college football game in South Bend, Ind., in October.

Graham was an investigator on the James homicide and interviewed Bastien, who identified Bressler as the shooter, Graham has testified.

Farry argued it's improper for attorneys to buy witnesses anything.

Cisneros ruled Farry's motion "legally insufficient."

Cisneros also ruled that prosecutors will not be allowed to tell jurors in the Shields trial about the James homicide and vice-versa.

"There's a danger of unfair prejudice," Cisneros said.

Eastridge and Bressler are due back in court July 18. Bressler and Bastien are being held without bail at the El Paso County Criminal Justice Center.

Eastridge is being held in lieu of $350,000 bail.

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* See past coverage of the case at RockyMountain News.com/extras

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