Posted on 09/20/2004 7:34:36 PM PDT by flutters
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- A local soldier back from the war in Iraq said he was beaten at an area concert because of what was printed on his T-shirt, NBC 4's Nancy Burton reported.
Foster Barton, 19, of Grove City, received a Purple Heart for his military service in Iraq. He almost lost his leg last month after a Humvee he was riding in ran over a landmine.
Barton said he was injured again Friday night in a crowded parking lot as he was leaving the Toby Keith concert at Germain Amphitheatre. The solider was injured so badly that he can't go back to Iraq as scheduled.
"I don't remember getting hit at all, really," said Barton, a member of the 1st Calvary Division. "He hit me in the back of the head. I fell and hit the ground. I was knocked unconscious and he continued to punch and kick me on the ground."
Barton and his family said he was beat up because he was wearing an Iraqi freedom T-shirt.
"It's not our fault," Barton said. "I'm just doing a job."
According to a Columbus police report, six witnesses who didn't know Barton said the person who beat him up was screaming profanities and making crude remarks about U.S. soldiers, Burton reported.
One witness, a friend of the alleged attacker, said Barton hit first. Police said they do not think that witness is credible since the six other witnesses said Barton was hit from behind.
Barton's mother said she has a message for her son's alleged attacker, who police said ran into the crowd after the incident and was not arrested.
"He needs our prayers, just like the insurgents, because he's a coward," Cindy Barton said.
After a two-week leave, Barton was supposed to return to Iraq Tuesday. But his broken nose will delay his return.
Barton is waiting for doctors to tell him when he can return to active duty. He said wants to go back as soon as possible because his unit was just attacked. Eleven soldiers were wounded and two were killed, he said.
Thank you for his address, I will certainly send him my support!!!
if he were gay, it would, literally, be a federal case.
Great job, Flutters!!
Thank you John Kerry & all your jerk buddies. Kids like this are fighting to keep your a** safe & this is what they get!
My 7 & 10 year old sons will walk up to EVERY single solider they see and tell them "Thank you for keeping us safe" - I don't need to coax them to do it. I've already explained that these men and women are willing to die to be sure we are safe and free. If a small child can understand that, WHY can't a Democrat?
Assault suspect on house arrest
While solider’s nose is surgically repaired, accused hears charge
Thursday, September 30, 2004
Jeb Phillips and Dana Wilson
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
At nearly the same time Army Pfc. Foster Barton was undergoing surgery to fix crushed cartilage yesterday morning, the man who allegedly broke his nose was answering to the assault charge for the first time.
"These allegations make me look like a piece of crap," said Brent N. Cornwell, 28, appearing in Delaware County Municipal Court via closed-circuit television from the county jail.
Cornwell is charged with felonious assault in connection with Barton’s beating after a Toby Keith concert Sept. 17 at Germain Amphitheater. Barton was home from Iraq on leave, recovering from a leg wound caused by a bomb.
Delaware County Prosecutor Dave Yost told Judge David Sunderman that the attack outside the amphitheater had been unprovoked.
"The witnesses said the beating and the kicking continued even after Mr. Barton was on the ground," Yost said. "This is a serious charge and a serious assault."
Sunderman set bond at $15,000, and Cornwell, who lives on the Far East Side, was out of jail by about 3 p.m. yesterday. He’s now under house arrest with work privileges, and the judge ordered him to stay away from Barton.
"I can’t wait until Mr. Yost hears my side of the story," Cornwell said.
Cornwell may have already told it. A man who said he was the person who fought with Barton called radio station WCOL (92.3 FM) on Sept. 23 and offered a version different from Barton’s. Columbus police said the man who called the station likely was Cornwell.
Barton, 19, said he was walking in the parking lot after the concert, wearing an Operation Iraqi Freedom T-shirt, when he was blindsided by someone. He said he heard the man say something derogatory about soldiers before the man attacked.
The radio station caller said he was trying to help a car back out of a parking place when Barton made a rude comment about bad driving. The caller said he shot back "Who the hell are you?" Barton said he was a soldier, and the caller said he also had been in the military and respected what Barton had done.
But Barton asked what unit the caller was with, and when the caller responded, Barton insulted the unit. The caller also said Barton spit at him before they fought. He denied that he attacked Barton from behind, or that he kicked him while Barton was down and unconscious.
"It was confrontational," the caller said. "He was coming at me when he spit."
Six witnesses supported Barton’s story, except that none heard the attacker say anything derogatory toward soldiers.
All six agreed that the man was much bigger than Barton, who is about 5 feet, 5 inches tall and 130 pounds. According to court records, Cornwell is 6 feet, 1 inch and 185 pounds.
Cornwell told the court yesterday that he graduated in 1995 from Gahanna-Lincoln High School and works as a plumber. He added that he served four years in the Army and was honorably discharged. His attorney, William Meeks, was not in court yesterday but told the court by phone that Cornwell had been convicted of an aggravatedmenacing charge in 2001.
Sunderman has scheduled a preliminary hearing in the case for Oct. 8.
After surgery, Barton was back at his family’s Grove City home by early afternoon, said his mother, Cindi Barton. She said the family had been deluged by support, including meeting President Bush on Monday while in Springfield for a rally.
"He thanked Foster for what he’d been doing," Barton said. "He asked Foster if he wanted to go back (to Iraq), and Foster said yes."
Barton’s story has been posted several places on the Internet, and he’s received about 300 letters from as far away as Hawaii and Alaska. Some have come with money, about $300, and one with a $75 restaurant gift certificate.
"I really want to thank people from all over the United States for their support," Cindi Barton said yesterday.
jeb.phillips@dispatch.com
dwilson@dispatch.com
So - The attacker should be in custody soon. The police must have his identity.
Viet Nam vet Redux.
COWARDLY BASTARD.
He is on house arrest. See Deadeye's Post #167.
I wrote him a letter last week, thanking him for his service in the military and my condolences for the attack on him.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.