Soldier Jailed in Iraqi Civilian’s Death

A U.S. soldier from California was arrested and jailed on murder charges Wednesday in the death of an Iraqi civilian.

Army Staff Sgt. Shane Werst, 31, of south Orange County is accused of killing Naser Ismail on Jan. 3 after Ismail was taken into custody by Werst’s unit in the Iraqi city of Balad.

Lt. Col. Jonathan Withington, a spokesman at Texas’ Ft. Hood, would not say how Ismail died. He said charges were filed after another soldier reported the alleged crime. Werst, a 13-year veteran, was also charged with obstruction of justice for allegedly ordering others to lie about the incident, the Army said.