Lawyer Says Soldier Doesn't Remember Afghan Slaughter

Sgt. Robert Bales has no memory of the slaughter of Afghan civilians he is accused of, his lawyer said Monday.

After meeting with Bales at the military prison at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., Seattle defense attorney John Henry Browne told CBS News: He has no memory of ... he has an early memory of that evening and he has a later memory of that, but he doesn't have memory of the evening in between.

He said Bales did not confess at their meeting.

Browne also said reports of the sergeant being drunk the night of March 11 were not accurate.

He said he had a couple sips of something but he didn't have a full drink, and therefore he wasn't drunk, Browne said.

Bales told Browne he was in shock, the lawyer said.

He's fixated on the troops left on the ground and what they're accusing him of and how that might have negative ramifications on his friends and compatriots. And he's concerned that there would be retaliation that would be caused by what people think he's done, Browne said.

Browne said he will not seek an insanity defense, rather one of diminished capacity, such as an emotional breakdown.

Bales is expected to be charged with 16 counts of murder by the end of the week.

Browne was joined by Emma Scanlan, a civilian and member of his Seattle law firm, and a military defense counsel, Maj. Thomas Hurley, Reuters reported.

It is too early to determine what factors may have played into this incident, and the defense team looks forward to reviewing the evidence, examining all of Sgt. Bales' medical and personnel records and interviewing witnesses, Browne said in an earlier statement.

Separately, Bales' wife Karilyn issued a statement expressing sorrow for the victims in Afghanistan and asking for public understanding.

Our family has little information beyond what we read and see in the media. What has been reported is completely out of character of the man I know and admire. Please respect me when I say I cannot shed any light on what happened that night, so please do not ask, she said in a statement circulated by Seattle attorney Lance Rosen. I too want to know what happened. I want to know how this could be.

Karilyn Bales and their two young children have been moved into military lodging at Joint Base Lewis-McChord near Tacoma, Wash. She works for a business communications firm.

Maj. Chris Ophardt, a spokesman at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, told Reuters that charge sheets against Bales would be released by the International Security Assistance Force Joint Command in Afghanistan