Seattle defense attorney John Henry Browne -- who has represented a number of well-known clients such as serial killer Ted Bundy and "Barefoot Bandit" Colton Harris-Moore -- will represent the soldier accused of killing 16 civilians in Afghanistan.

Browne told KIRO 7 Eyewitness News reporter Richard Thompson that he talked to the Joint Base Lewis-McChord staff sergeant over the phone early Thursday morning and is making arrangements to meet with him soon, possibly in Kuwait.

"He was quiet. (He) just wanted to confirm I would be involved and give his love to his family --  which I did," Browne said.

"We need to treat him as a soldier entitled to the rights he's entitled to, and go from there," Browne told Thompson.

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Browne said the soldier is from the Midwest and that he was hurt during in an earlier deployment in Iraq.

"(He) was injured in Iraq to his brain, and despite that, was sent back.  I think that is an issue. I think that is a concern," Browne said. "I'm concerned there was not enough attention paid to his health."

When asked whether the soldier expressed any concern before his deployment or if anyone else expressed concern about his fitness to deploy, Browne said, "I can't tell you."

Browne said he won't release the name of the suspect because of concerns he and his family in the U.S. could be targeted in a revenge attack.

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Browne told CBS News reporter Peter Van Sant that he spoke with the suspect by telephone, and with the JAG attorney representing the man.  There was some discussion about moving the suspect to the U.S., but no decision has been made yet.  If the suspect is not moved, Browne may travel to Kuwait as early as next week.

Browne said his client had suffered a "concussive brain injury" while in the field in Afghanistan.  An IED exploded, destroying the vehicle in front of the suspect, who was then injured in a collision with another vehicle.  U.S. soldiers were killed in the attack. The suspect had also suffered a foot injury in combat.

Browne told both CBS News and the Tacoma News Tribune that the staff sergeant, a married father who’s trained as a sniper, asked for him specifically during talks with military officials.

"He’s from here, and he knows who I am," Browne told the TNT.

Browne declined to divulge any more information about his client or his state of mind, saying he’s worried for the safety of the soldier and his family.