Soldiers Charged in Artillery Lapse That Killed Three

FT. SILL, Okla. — The Army charged two soldiers with negligent homicide for using too much powder in an artillery round that strayed and killed three soldiers in September, officials said today.

Sgt. Edward C. Tyler, 26, of Washington, D.C., and Spec. Nickoles W. Holly, 24, of Canton, Ohio, were told Wednesday that they were being charged in military court with negligent homicide and dereliction of duty through negligence, said Sheila Samples, a spokeswoman at Ft. Sill.

The stray round struck near 80 soldiers on a rifle range outside the target area and injured 24 as well as killing the three.

Samples said the two are not in confinement and are still performing their duties with C Battery, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Field Artillery at Ft. Sill. She said, however, that they are not firing cannons.