Investigators probing the friendly fire death in Afghanistan of former NFL star Pat Tillman found no criminal negligence, a government official said Monday. The findings end a yearlong inquiry into the conduct of members of Tillman's platoon who opened fire on him in April 2004.A separate investigation, also due to be released Monday, looked at everything that happened after Tillman's death, including allegations of a coverup. That investigation will recommend that nine officers, including up to four generals, be held accountable for missteps in the aftermath of Tillman's April 2004 death, senior defense officials told The Associated Press, also on condition of anonymity.
The Army announced in March 2006 it would open a new investigation into the circumstances of Tillman's death, in response to complaints from Tillman's family and congressional representatives that previous probes had left key questions unanswered.
Although the Army never publicly discussed the scope of the new investigation, a senior Pentagon official said at the time that it would focus on possible charges of negligent homicide. Gen. Peter Pace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said then that investigators would determine whether any of Tillman's fellow soldiers were "firing a weapon when they should not have been."
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