KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany — A decision on whether Spc. Bobby Morrissette will face court-martial on charges of murdering a fellow soldier in an alleged 2005 gang initiation should be made in the next few weeks, an Army official said.

“A recommendation has been forwarded to the convening authority,” said Maj. Al Hing, 21st Theater Support Command public affairs officer.

The convening authority in the matter is Brig. Gen. Scott West, the 21st TSC commander.

An Article 32 hearing for Morrissette, the first of two soldiers charged with murdering Sgt. Juwan Johnson in July 2005, took place last month. Morrissette was charged in October 2006 with murdering Johnson in an alleged initiation ceremony into the Chicago-based Gangster Disciples.

The alleged initiation happened late on July 3, 2005. Johnson, a soldier with the 66th Transportation Company, was found dead the next day in his barracks room on Kleber Kaserne. Johnson suffered severe damage to his brain and heart. Cause of death was ruled as multiple blunt force injuries.

An Article 32 hearing for Pfc. Latisha Ellis, the second soldier charged with Johnson’s death, is scheduled for Feb. 12. No other soldiers have been charged, but investigators have identified as many as eight suspects.