robert bales

"When prosecutors don't cooperate, it's because they are concerned about the strength of their case."

Karilyn Bales, wife of Staff Sergeant Robert Bales, insists her husband could not have massacred 17 Afghan villagers.

Bales, who was formally charged by the military on Friday, allegedly left the U.S. military base the first time armed with a 9mm handgun and an M-4 rifle outfitted with a grenade launcher.

Bales' wife's attorney told ABC that her husband called her shortly after the alleged attacks occurred. "[Bales] told her something terrible had happened."

Bales worked for an Ohio brokerage firm before enlisting in the Army in 2001, and according to the judgement, burned through $852,000 worth of AT&T stock with poor trading practices.

The soldier accused of massacring 16 Afghan civilians, including women and children, made an ominous and disturbing Facebook comment during an exchange with a friend back home in 2010.

A portrait of a husband and father to young children, faced with financial issues and a past of minor run-ins with the law, has emerged.

His former platoon leader said, "Bales is still, hands down, one of the best soldiers I ever worked with. I just don’t want him seen as some psychopath, because he is not."