Slain Man’s Parents Consider Suing Army

The Kansas City, Mo., parents of slain Pfc. Barry Winchell are considering suing the Army for failing to protect their son from anti-gay harassment. Pat and Wally Kutteles said military officials at Ft. Campbell, Ky., did not take sufficient precautions to prevent Winchell’s beating on July 5. Winchell, who was rumored to be gay, was attacked by another soldier as he was sleeping. Pat Kutteles said commanders at the 101st Airborne division tolerated a four-month harassment campaign against her son in clear violation of the Pentagon’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy toward gays, a standard that has come under mounting criticism in recent weeks. “What it’s shown us is that the military is not a safe place to send our children to,” she said. “I don’t believe in lawsuits, in everybody suing other people, but it’s the last resort.”