Update and Next Steps Regarding the Alleged Murder of PFC. Barry Winchell.
Your Action Has Had An Impact. Thank you to all who sent emails or called Fort Campbell, Kentucky regarding the alleged murder of Private First Class Barry Winchell on July 5, 1999. In response to SLDN's efforts and your calls, the Army has changed its public response to the incident. Fort Campbell officials have stopped saying that PFC. Winchell's death was the result of a "physical altercation" and that there is no evidence that PFC. Winchell's murder may have been a hate crime. These statements were made shortly after the murder, before the Army had even interviewed well-known people who might have information relevant to the case, and similar statements were reported as recently as yesterday. This caused great concern that Army officials had, at best, drawn conclusions in the case before conducting a full investigation. The base now is saying that "[a]ll aspects of his death will be examined and the results of this investigation will be made public as appropriate."
Next Steps. SLDN asks everyone who has not yet contacted Fort Campbell to please ask Fort Campbell officials to investigate the incident properly, including all leads concerning the possibility that this may have been a hate crime. Please also ask officials to take steps to ensure the safety of all soldiers at Fort Campbell - we have been contacted by soldiers who are fearful for their own safety in the wake of PFC. Winchell's murder.
You can contact Fort Campbell by:
Phone: 270-798-3025
Email: chamblissc@emh2.campbell.army.m il.
Address:
Major Pamela Hart
101st Airborne Division Air Assault
Public Affairs Office
2334 19th Street
Fort Campbell, KY 42223-5375.
Additionally, anyone with relevant information about the alleged murder of
PFC. Barry Winchell should contact SLDN by email at sldn@sldn.or g or by phone
at 202-328-3244, extension #113. SLDN would like you to pass this message
along to anyone you know who is stationed at Fort Campbell or has friends
stationed at Fort Campbell. If necessary, those contacting SLDN do not have
to give their names