'Repugnant' Photos Emerge of U.S. Soldiers Accused of Sport Killings

March 21, 2011 — -- Two U.S. soldiers already accused of killing Afghan civilians for sport are seen in newly published photographs apparently posing over a victim -- images the Army called "repugnant to us as human beings."

The two images, published today by the German newspaper Der Spiegel, appear to show two American soldiers standing over the same Afghan civilian who lies bloody on the ground. The Afghan's face is blurred, but one of the Americans is smiling.

The photographs depict "actions repugnant to us as human beings and contrary to the standards and values of the United States Army," the Army said in a statement. "We apologize for the distress these photos cause... When allegations of wrongdoing by Soldiers surface, to include the inappropriate treatment of the dead, they are fully investigated. Soldiers who commit offenses will be held accountable as appropriate."

In September, ABC News obtained a video of 22-year-old Corporal Jeremy N. Morlock casually telling military investigators how his unit's "crazy" sergeant randomly chose three unarmed, innocent victims to be murdered in Afghanistan. Morlock is one of the soldiers identified by Der Speigel in the newly published photographs.

In the other picture, Private First Class Andrew H. Holmes is shown holding the head of the same civilian, identified by Der Spiegel as Gul Mudin.

"The photos appear in stark contrast to the discipline, professionalism and respect that have characterized our Soldiers' performance during nearly 10 years of sustained operations," the Army's statement said.

Daniel Conway, Holmes' attorney, said Sunday that Holmes was ordered "to be in the photo, so he got in the photo. That doesn't make him a murderer," according to a report by The Associated Press.

The Army had attempted to squash the photos through court motions, but Der Spiegel was able to obtain them from a family member of one of the soldiers allegedly involved.

Five soldiers with the 5th Stryker Combat Brigade, of the 2nd Infantry Division, based at Ft. Lewis-McChord, Wash., were charged in connection with the murders, allegedly led by Staff Sergeant Calvin R. Gibbs.

Morlock has agreed to plead guilty to murder. His court martial is scheduled for this week. Gibbs reportedly maintains the killings were legitimate.

CLICK HERE to read Der Spiegel's report.