[JURIST] The Multinational Force-Iraq (MNF-I) [official website] Thursday announced that charges [press release] of premeditated murder have been laid against US Army Sergeant 1st Class Trey A. Corrales and Specialist Christopher P. Shore. The two soldiers are accused of killing an unspecified "Iraqi national" on or about June 23, 2007 near the Iraqi city of Kirkuk [GlobalSecurity backgrounder]. The MNF-I also announced that the soldiers' commander, Lt. Col. Michael Browder, has been relieved of his command based on the "totality of circumstances surrounding this incident and due to a lack of confidence in his ability to command effectively." Browder is not a suspect in the killing.

The two soldiers will face a Article 32 hearing [JAG backgrounder], similar to civil grand jury proceedings, to determine whether they will face court-martial. If convicted of premeditated murder, Corrales and Shore could face the death penalty. AP has more.