SLAIN SOLDIER Man's story in beating case 'inconsistent' By Brian Dunn / The Leaf-Chronicle

FORT CAMPBELL -- A Fort Campbell soldier accused of being an accomplice in the beating death last month of Pfc. Barry Winchell told inconsistent stories about his role in the crime, according to testimony yesterday at an investigative hearing.

Spec. Justin Fisher, 25, of Lincoln, Neb., told six different stories about his involvement in events surrounding Winchell's beating in the post barracks early July 5, said Spec. Edgar Rosa.

Winchell died at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville the next day, and gay rights advocates contend the beating was a hate crime, prompted by the victim's involvement with another man.

The investigative hearing of Fisher, which began Monday and is similar to a civilian grand jury inquiry, will determine whether a court-martial is warranted.

Fisher is charged with encouraging Pvt. Calvin N. Glover, 18, of Sulphur, Okla., to beat Winchell, 21, and then lying to investigators about what he knew about the slaying. Glover, whose investigative hearing was conducted Aug. 10-11, is charged with premeditated murder.

"He gave me different stories," Rosa testified of Fisher's behavior after the incident. "I could tell that he was lying; you don't change your story that many times."

A biting dialogue between witnesses and defense attorney Michael Love of Clarksville started when Rosa discussed two theories he had about who killed Winchell, and Love tried to attack the witness' credibility.

Both theories hinged on a fist fight in which Winchell easily beat Glover the night before the slaying.

Testimony earlier this week indicated Glover was angry about homosexual advances the victim had made toward him. Glover, according to earlier testimony, admitted to the slaying at least three times while he was being held in a Fort Campbell jail cell, and at one time said the beating was Fisher's idea.

Other testimony yesterday, and government counsel Capt. Gregg Engler's closing argument, said Fisher harassed Glover for getting beaten in a fist fight by a homosexual.

The defense also presented testimony to show that Fisher cared for Winchell after the beating, staying beside him and demanding he "not die" and "breathe, breathe."

The hearing is scheduled to continue today. Once completed, Maj. Lee Miller, who is presiding as the investigating officer, will submit a written report, probably within two weeks, to Col. Robert Caslen, 2nd Brigade commander and the Army's special court-martial convening authority.

The report will recommend how the case should be handled.