Soldier says he stabbed comrade in self-defense during fight

JOINT BASE-LEWIS MCCHORD, Wash. (AP) — A soldier accused of fatally stabbing a comrade through the heart two years go says he acted in self-defense during a confrontation between two groups of soldiers.

The News-Tribune in Tacoma reports that Pvt. Jeremiah Hill testified at his court-martial Tuesday that he tried to knock a knife out of Spc. Tevin Geike's hand. Hill says he then stabbed Geike because the fellow soldier still had the knife and was a threat.

Both soldiers were based at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

Officials say the slaying occurred when Hill and a group of soldiers encircled Geike and two friends on a highway. Testimony at the pretrial hearing revealed that both groups had gone out partying that night.

The 24-year-old Hill faces life in prison if he's convicted of murder.

The Army took over the case from Pierce County prosecutors in December. The court-martial is expected to finish by the end of this week.