Desertion Saga

July Hearing Set for Bowe Bergdahl

At Fort Sam Houston.

The initial hearing for Bowe Bergdahl, the Army sergeant who left his post in Afghanistan and was held by the Taliban for five years, has been set for July 8 at Fort Sam Houston in Texas. Bergdahl is charged with desertion and misbehavior before the enemy. The Article 32 proceeding is similar to a civilian grand jury. After the hearing, the case could be referred to a court-martial and go to trial. Bergdahl walked away from his post in Afghanistan and was captured by the Taliban, officials say. The Taliban released him in a prisoner exchange last May for five Taliban commanders. He faces as much as life in prison if found guilty.