SEATTLE -- The Boise soldier accused of taking part in the killing of an Afghan civilian has been released from pre-trial confinement.
Private First Class Andrew Holmes' attorney Daniel Conway told KTVB Friday that Holmes was released because his trial has been delayed until September. The reason for the delay is because the government has so many cases currently on its plate, and it could no longer satisfy Holmes' constitutional right to a speedy trial.
KTVB's Scott Evans spoke with Pfc. Andrew Holmes and his attorney on phone Friday afternoon.
Holmes' is definitely in good spirits despite having been in military confinement for the past year.
"This is absolutely surreal, incredible, I mean, words can not explain how amazing I feel right now, and how awesome this is," Holmes' said in a phone interview.
He also took the time to thank everyone who supported him and his family throughout the last year.
"That support has meant everything for me, the love and the prayers and the support is actually what's gotten me this far," Holmes said. "There are times where I just felt like giving up mentally, but you know, given the chance to call my mom, and talk to her and see how her day is, get outside what's actually going on, and find out how she is doing, how my family is doing, has just, that's been the biggest part, my family has just been the biggest part."
Holmes said he does not mind that his trial has been pushed back a few months. He said it gives him more time to spend free, and will give he and his attorneys more time and freedom to prepare for the trial.
"It kind of brings down my moral to know that I joined to serve my country, and to do my four years as best as I could and now that I'm being accused of doing my job wrong, it's aggravating, but I know that I have the love and support of my family and the best attorneys, that absolute best attorneys that are on my side and are helping me out," Holmes said.
Holmes learned of his release Thursday night, and is currently going through some out processing procedures. He will be required to wear an electronic monitoring device. He will be staying at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington state and will be allowed to work, but he is not sure what kind of work he will be doing.
As for right now, Holmes is excited to see his mother tonight and possibly have a barbecue with his family. He could be back to work as early as tomorrow, something he is excited about.
"That [the ability to work] means the world to me, to actually have something to during today, to get up and do something with a purpose," Holmes explained.
Holmes said it would mean the world to him to be able to come back home to Boise, but at this point, he is not sure if that will happen.
