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Columbia Missourian

Trial date change for soldier in killing

By The Associated Press
June 22, 2009 | 12:21 p.m. CDT

FORT LEONARD WOOD — The trial for a Fort Leonard Wood soldier accused of killing another soldier's wife has been moved back for a second time.

Spc. Jermaine Johnson was originally to face a court martial trial in May. The trial date was moved back to June 29. Now, the trial is set for Aug. 27 at the mid-Missouri Army base.

Johnson is charged with murder, sodomy, assault, adultery, kidnapping and obstructing justice in the death of 23-year-old Maria Silva. She was the wife of Pfc. Benjamin Silva of Fort Leonard Wood. Her body was found on Oct. 14.

Johnson is an Army reservist with the 7223 Medical Support Detachment 10 from Mobile, Ala. He was serving in a Fort Leonard Wood hospital as a health care specialist.