Soldier Accused of Slaughtering Afghan Villagers Will Not Face Death Penalty

Staff Sgt. Robert Bales made a deal with deal with prosecutors

(Reuters) - A U.S. soldier accused of killing 16 Afghan civilians in two rampages from his Army post last year has reached a plea deal with prosecutors to avoid the death penalty, one of his lawyers said on Wednesday.

Robert Bales, a decorated veteran of four combat tours in Iraq andAfghanistan, is accused of gunning down villagers, mostly women and children, in attacks on their family compounds in Kandahar province in March 2012.