Yahoo! News – Militants Say They Executed U.S. Soldier in Iraq -TV
Yahoo! News – Report: Iraqi Militants Kill U.S. Soldier
WCPO.com – Army Spokesperson: Tape Is Under Review
There continues to be conflicting reports concerning the status of specialist Matt Maupin.
ABC News reports the parents of Maupin were informed that there may be a tape showing his execution.
ABC News said a source described as a senior official said a tape was delivered to Al-Jazeera TV which appears to show a blindfolded Maupin in a dark room being shot.
This same ABC source said there is no confirmation but that they believe “it’s him”.
Just before 5:30 p.m. Major Willie Harris, Army spokesperson for the Maupin family, addressed the media from the Maupin family home.
Major Harris confirmed the existence of a tape that is currently being reviewed by the Department of Defense. Major Harris did not speculate the contents of the tape.
Major Harris could not stress enough that there is no confirmation that the contents of the tape include Maupin or any other American soldier for that matter.
The status of Maupin has not changed and he remains listed as “captured”.
Maupin, a member of the 724th Transportation Company and a Glen Este High School graduate, was captured April 9 after his convoy was attacked. A videotape of Maupin’s capture was released in mid-April.
A vigil is being held in Batavia at 7 p.m. Monday in support of Maupin and his family. The gathering will be on Main Street at the Clermont County Courthouse.
UPDATE
This morning on 55KRC they mentioned the fact that they hadn’t talked about Maupin. The reason for this is because everything is speculation and they feel it is inappropriate for WCPO to be talking about the story in the way that they are. blah blah blah. Anyway the important part of what I heard this morning was that Maupin’s mother saw that tape and is pretty sure it is not her son in the tape, they have been having a constant prayer vigil since yesterday. I think the important thing right now is to pray for Matt and his family. And that God would continue to protect our soldiers as He has as America helps Iraq achieve the freedom that we have been blessed with and so many of us take for granted.