JBLM soldier to face court-martial in stabbing death of another soldier



TACOMA, Wash. (AP) — The Army says a Joint Base Lewis-McChord infantryman accused of fatally stabbing another soldier in 2013 in Lakewood will face a military court-martial in April.

The News Tribune reports (http://is.gd/ekqWqq ) that 24-year-old Pvt. Jeremiah Hill faces life in prison if he's convicted of premeditated murder in the death of 20-year-old Spc. Tevin Geike.

The Army said Monday that JBLM 7th Infantry Division Commander Maj. Gen. Terry Ferrell reviewed the case this month and decided the evidence was sufficient to proceed with a full court-martial.

Testimony at Hill's pretrial hearing indicated Geike was walking on Pacific Highway in Lakewood with two friends in the early hours of Oct. 5, 2013, when they were confronted by Hill and four others in a car.

The two groups reportedly prepared to fight but broke apart when they realized they were all soldiers. At that point, Hill is accused of grabbing Geike and stabbing him in the chest.