Bergdahl searchers describe serious head, hand wounds

Testimony comes during sentencing for Army sergeant.

Soldiers FORT BRAGG, N.C. — and an airman described a shattered hand and a head wound Thursday as prosecutors presented evidence that Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl’s disappearance endangered those who searched for him.

The testimony came during the sentencing phase for Bergdahl, who faces up to life in prison after he pleaded guilty to desertion and misbehavior before the enemy. Bergdahl was held captive by Taliban allies for five years after abandoning his remote post in 2009.

Several witnesses described a search mission by U.S. and Afghan troops to comb two villages for information related to Bergdahl days after he disappeared.

Among the most vivid testimony came from Jonathan Morita, describing how his hand was shattered by a rocket-propelled grenade. He has since had multiple surgeries and is left without full use of his right hand.

Nearby, Master Sgt. Mark Allen suffered a head wound during the ambush.

National Guard Staff Sgt. Jason Walters testified that Allen was trying to make a radio call when Walters saw him get hit by a bullet. “I watched just as a cloud of his blood came out the side of his head,” he said.

Allen now uses a wheelchair and is unable to speak, requiring assistance for everyday tasks such as getting out of bed.

While Bergdahl acknowledged at his plea hearing that his actions triggered the search missions, his lawyers argued Thursday that there’s a limit to his responsibility for a lengthy chain of events including others’ decisions and enemy fighters.