The US soldier accused of killing 16 Afghan civilians, including nine children, in a shooting spree was to see his lawyer for the first time Monday, a prison spokeswoman said, reported dpa.
The 38-year old Staff Sergeant Robert Bales will meet privately with his lawyer, John Henry Browne, according to the spokeswoman for the military prison at Fort Leavenworth in Kansas.
The killings occurred on March 11 in Kandahar, southern Afghanistan, sparking outrage from the government of Hamid Karzai and condolences from President Barack Obama, as well as the promise of a full inquiry.
Browne is one of the most prominent lawyers in the US, having defended clients including the serial killer Ted Bundy.
US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta has previously stated that the prosecution could seek the death penalty, if Bales is found guilty.