US soldier charged with contractor murder in Iraq

BAGHDAD (AP) — The U.S. military says an American soldier has been charged with murder in last month's shooting of a foreign contractor at a base north of Baghdad.

A U.S. statement says Pfc. Carl T. Stovall III was taken into custody soon after the March 26 shooting at the U.S. base in Taji, which is about 12 miles (20 kilometers) north of Baghdad.

The Sunday statement said a murder charge has been lodged against Stovall under the U.S. military legal code.

Stovall is assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, which is part of the 1st Cavalry Division from Fort Hood, Texas.

No further details were released, including the name and nationality of the victim or Stovall's hometown.