Lawyers Want Fort Bragg Soldier's Sentence Changed

Lawyers seek corrected sentence for Fort Bragg soldier suffering from PTSD
FayObserver
By Greg Barnes Staff writer
August 18, 2015

Lawyers, family members and psychiatrists contend that Eisenhauer's severe PTSD and addiction to a prescription anti-anxiety medication caused him to have a flashback, believing he was shooting at enemy insurgents in Afghanistan.

Joshua Eisenhauer
Staff Sgt. Joshua Eisenhauer talks to one of his lawyers during his sentencing Thursday.

A lawyer for Fort Bragg Staff Sgt. Joshua Eisenhauer has filed a motion seeking to correct a sentence handed down Aug. 6 that landed Eisenhauer in prison for up to 18 years for shooting at police and firefighters in 2012.

In his motion for appropriate relief, lawyer Larry McGlothlin argues that the state did not substantially rebut defense testimony that Eisenhauer suffers from severe post-traumatic stress disorder and needs immediate professional treatment. The motion was filed Monday afternoon in Cumberland County Superior Court.

Eisenhauer pleaded guilty in February to shooting at police and firefighters after they responded to a report of a fire at Austin Creek Apartments in west Fayetteville on Jan. 13, 2012. Police shot Eisenhauer four times during a standoff. Police and firefighters escaped serious injury.

On Aug. 6, Cumberland County Superior Court Judge Jim Ammons sentenced Eisenhauer to between 10 and 18 years in prison after listening to about four hours of testimony.

Among those who testified, psychiatrist G. Martin Woodard said that on the night of the incident, Eisenhauer suffered from severe PTSD that was exacerbated by alcohol and anti-anxiety medications.
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