Navarrete Murder Conviction Upheld

Jan. 28, 2007

Columbus, Ga.  (WTVM) -- The Georgia Supreme Court has upheld the murder conviction of a Fort Benning soldier for participating in the beating, stabbing and incineration of a fellow infantry member.

A court order released Monday backs the conviction and life sentence of Mario Roberto Navarrete.  He was one of four soldiers convicted of killing Spec. Richard Davis in July 2003, after Davis finished a tour of duty in Iraq.

Navarrete's attorneys say their client tried to stop the killing, and argued that a Muscogee County trial court made a number of errors when he was convicted in 2006.  But the Georgia Supreme Court noted Navarrete beat Davis, helped burn the body, served as a lookout during the burial and never reported the crime.

Davis was killed one day after the five had returned to Fort Benning after serving a six-month tour in Iraq.  Davis was found in woods along Milgen Road, months after the group spent an evening at Hooters and the Platinum Club.  The fictional Oscar-nominated movie In the Valley of Elah is based on the case.

-- Associated Press