Not Guilty Plea in Soldier's Russian Roulette Death

N.J. soldier's fellow soldier pleads not guilty to the Russian Roulette death

The Fort Richardson soldier accused of giving a fellow soldier the gun used to fire a fatal shot in a game of Russian roulette has pleaded not guilty to a manslaughter charge in Anchorage Superior Court.

Jacob D. Brouch had been at his Eagle River apartment drinking with his close friend Michael McCloskey (pictured above) on March 6 when the fatal shot was fired.

Several soldiers, including the company commander for the men, attended Thursday's court hearing, the Anchorage Daily News reported.

Capt. Brad Pietzyk said he was there to support all his soldiers and wasn't making a judgment on how civilian authorities should handle the case.

“These are both integral members of our team that we care very much about,” Pietzyk said.

“All the troops have pulled together really well,” Pietzyk said. “They are looking out for each other, taking care of each other. It's a shock to their system, to say the least. But it's a very strong and loyal team.”

Both men served in the 84th Engineer Support Company, 6th Engineer Battalion, 3rd Maneuver Enhancement Brigade.

McCloskey, who was 26, served two tours in Iraq and was previously at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., and Fort Bragg, N.C. He had been part of the 82nd Airborne All-American Chorus and performed at the rededication of the Statue of Liberty. The Beverly, N.J., native leaves behind a son, Connor, a sister, four brothers and his parents.

He had just been promoted to sergeant, Pietzyk said.

Brouch, 25, is being held on $250,000 bail.

A bail hearing is set for Wednesday.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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