Byron Booker, 29, of Ludwici, Georgia, pleaded guilty to the premeditated murder of Specialist Austin J. Hawk, 21, at his Fort Stewart Military Reserve barracks on June 17, 2020.
The killer will now face a minimum sentence of life in prison behind bars in federal prison, the US Justice Department said.
Authorities said Booker killed Hawk in retaliation for the victim reporting his friend Jordan Brown, 21, to a supervisor for marijuana use.
Prosecutors said Booker snuck into the troopers’ barracks room and “cut and stabbed Hawk repeatedly with a sharp weapon.”
A coroner later said that Mr. Hawk, who was found dead in his room the next day, suffered 40 stab wounds during the brutal attack.
United States Attorney David H. Estes said, “Byron Booker cold-bloodedly murdered a former fellow soldier in retaliation for that soldier performing his duties as a service member.”
The former US colonel also praised the detectives’ work in solving the “despicable crime and bringing Booker to justice”.
A plea agreement says Brown was forced to complete a urine test, which came back positive for THC, a substance found in marijuana.
Mr. Hawk’s role as squad leader required him to report any drug use, as it is considered a criminal offence.
Brown, Booker’s co-defendant, is currently awaiting charges including premeditated murder, retaliating against a witness with murder and conspiracy. He is considered innocent unless proven guilty.
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Booker admitted that he and Brown discussed ‘silencing’ Mr. Hawk for reporting drug use. Prosecutors said that in phone calls between them, they referred to Mr. Hawk as a “snitch.”
The killer told Brown to get a skeleton key and give it to him, but the accomplice couldn’t.
Booker parked outside the barracks around 12:20 a.m. and “illegally” entered Mr. Hawk’s room, knowing he would be alone because Brown had informed him that his roommate had moved out.
The fight lasted around 40 minutes between the pair and made so much noise that Brown, in a room downstairs, could hear it all unfold.
Booker was taken into custody the next day and arrested on April 12, 2021.
Keri Farley, FBI Atlant Special Agent in Charge, said: “Hawk’s family and friends will never be free of the pain this senseless murder has caused them, but I hope it will give them a sense of determination knowing that justice will be served.”
Mr Hawk’s family, who have set up a GoFundMe page, said: “Austin’s heinous murder has left his family devastated.”
‘They are in disbelief to discover that his beloved son was killed by his fellow servicemen.
“No family should have to endure what the Austin family has been through. It is unimaginable to realize that his son who is serving his country would be killed by the very people he called his brothers.
Source: https://wikisoon.com/
