Probe into Pat Tillman's death finds no negligence

Investigators probing the friendly fire death in Afghanistan of former NFL star Pat Tillman found no criminal negligence, a government official said Monday.

The findings end a yearlong inquiry into the conduct of members of Tillman's platoon who opened fire on him in April 2004.

A separate investigation, also due to be released Monday, looked at everything that happened after Tillman's death, including allegations of a coverup.

That investigation will recommend that nine officers, including up to four generals, be held accountable for missteps in the aftermath of Tillman's April 2004 death, senior defense officials told The Associated Press, also on condition of anonymity.

continued

On Monday, the official report on the 2004 killing in Afghanistan, and coverup, involving former NFL star Pat Tillman will finally be released.

By all accounts, the belated official military probe of the Pat Tillman killing and cover-up on Monday will call on the carpet nine officers, including up to four generals, for badly mishandling information. This is what The Associated Press reported yesterday, adding that the investigation found there was no "orchestrated cover-up."

But even if Tillman's outspoken family affirms that justice has finally been done -- don't count on it -- it is vital to look back two years at why the case stirs such anger and reveals so much about military deceit and (too often) media acceptance of it.

It was The Washington Post that really broke the case wide open in May 2005. Simply stated: the Pentagon lied about the friendly fire incident, even to Tillman's family. Still, there were few calls for apologies to the public and the firing of those responsible. Not many suggested that the Pentagon's word should never be trusted unless backed up by numerous credible sources.