Army IDs alleged Sgt. Matthew Gallagher's killer

Army IDs alleged Gallagher killer

By sean teehan

November 24, 2011
FALMOUTH — The Army notified Sgt. Matthew Gallagher's family this week that military proceedings against their son's accused killer will start next month.

The slain soldier's relatives were told that Sgt. Brent McBride, Gallagher's roommate and alleged killer, will face a pretrial investigation in Fort Hood, Texas, on Dec. 17.

"It just seems to be a never-ending story," said Cheryl Ruggiero, Gallagher's mother, who previously told the Times an autopsy had ruled her son's death a homicide. The cause of death was a single gunshot wound to the head.

On Wednesday, a Fort Hood spokesman confirmed the defendant's identity and impending court appearance.

"McBride, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, faces charges stemming from an incident that occurred in Wasit Province, Iraq, on June 26, that resulted in the death of Sgt. Matthew Gallagher," said Sgt. Tyler Broadway in an email to the Times.

"As with all military accused, McBride is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law," he said.

The circumstances surrounding Gallagher's death were shrouded in mystery since Army sergeants delivered the news to his mother, father and wife a week before his 23rd birthday. Family members originally thought Gallagher died during a combat operation. The Department of Defense later released a statement calling Gallagher's death noncombat related.

By the time media outlets caught wind that officials had ruled Gallagher's death a homicide, family members had known for about two months that McBride was suspected of the crime, Ruggiero said.
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