US v. Whiteside: case closed?

According to the Washington Post, the disturbing case of United States v. Whiteside may finally be drawing to a close. The article isn't a model of clarity, but it appears the convening authority declined to refer the charges to trial.

The Whiteside case was debated extensively on CAAFlog last month. A quick refresher: while deployed to Camp Cropper in December 2006, 1st Lt Elizabeth Whiteside allegedly pointed a loaded weapon at a major. She made statements to the effect that she wanted to kill her fellow soldiers, fired two rounds into the ceiling, and then shot herself in the stomach. She was eventually charged with, inter alia, assault on a superior commissioned officer, communcating a threat, wrongful discharge of a firearm, and malingering.

Earlier this week, prior to receiving word of the disposition of the pending charges, Lt Whiteside again attempted suicide, downing "dozens" of antidepressants and other pills. She is reported to be in stable condition.

No word on whether she will face new charges of malingering for this latest attempt.