Romania wants Marine for questioning about accident that killed rock star

Stars and Stripes ^ | 12/7/2004 | Charlie Coon

[DTA]

According to chart on DOS web site member of administrative and technical staff can not be prosecuted.

However, can VanGoethem face justice in U.S. for impaired driving causing manslaughter?

[twigs]

I believe that perps should be called to account in crimes. But if we send this man back, then we need to get an agreement that if their diplomatic staff is inolved in something criminal here, we get to keep them too for prosecution.

[Blowtorch]

If this Marine is guilty of driving drunk and killing someone, even if it wasn't a rock star, he should be held to account under the law.

[Flightdeck]

He should face the music, if the report is accurate. I've heard this sort of thing happens every now and then in the Japan islands, and they always ship the marine home.

[Tallguy]

About 20 years ago, just before my brother got married, his fiancee's brother was killed by a drunk driver that turned out to be the son of an acredited Dutch diplomat. They never were able to bring charges or suit against him because of the diplomatic immunity rules of the day.

They did, however, settle with the rental car agency (it was a leased car) to the tune of around $1 million. Not sure about all the details, except to say that the Car Leasing Agency must have been holding a weak hand if they settled for such a large amount.

[freepy smurf]

Let's send them Bruce Springsteen and call it even.

[twigs]

I agree. But then I don't want one of their diplomatic staff to kill someone over here and then claim diplomatic immunity, allowing him/her to go home scot free. It needs to be reciprocal. It's a problem over here.

[af_vet_rr]

There is absolutely no reason why we should act differently in this case and if we don't turn this person over for trial the USA has no right to claim moral authority/superiority in the future.

Absolutely right - any kind of immunity he may have should be waived.

This is a good case that shows how much we differ from liberals, DUers, etc., - if this was some democrat politician/diplomat that got drunk and killed somebody in another country, the liberals, DUers, etc., would be claiming diplomatic immunity. Everybody here in this thread recognizes that the Marine should be held accountable for his actions.

[G.Mason]

"There is absolutely no reason why we should act differently in this case and if we don't turn this person over for trial the USA has no right to claim moral authority/superiority in the future."

Oh spare me.

There is absolutely NO reason we should act like Russia. That is globalist speak.

We have miltary laws that cover this, and they will be adhered to.

Moral authority/superiority my fat behind!

[Veritas et equitas ad Votum]

"I believe that perps should be called to account in crimes."

Me too, as soon as we get to subpoena Kofi Annan to testify, I might consider letting Romania talk to this Marine, though I doubt that I'll ever think it's a good idea for our military to be tried in foreign court rooms, it's just bad precedent.

[monday]

"However, can VanGoethem face justice in U.S. for impaired driving causing manslaughter?"

No, he should be sent back to Romania.

[monday]

"I've heard this sort of thing happens every now and then in the Japan islands, and they always ship the marine home."

There are Marines serving time for rape in Japan.

[monday]

"There is absolutely NO reason we should act like Russia. That is globalist speak."

Yeah, right. No reason we should behave morally just because the Russians do. /<sarcasm

[LibWhacker]

Yeah, right . . . Let's return him to be tried by Ceaucescu's thugs. Gimme a break.

I'll tell you what, when Romania has an unbroken 200 year history of freedom, democracy, respect for justice and the rights of man, then maybe we'll THINK about it.

[Ghost of Philip Marlowe]

Sucks when diplomatic immunity works for our guys (not condoning the Marine's actions if he was DUI).
Either drop it altogether or honor it, people. You can't have it both ways.

[Veritas et equitas ad Votum]

They should be serving their time at Leavinworth.

[monday]

Why? When foreigners commit crimes in America we don't send them home to their own countries to serve their time. Why would you expect other countries to send Americans who commit crimes back to America? It is not logical. Do you think you deserve special treatment just because you are American?

[Veritas et equitas ad Votum]

I'm talking about military personnel, not civilians. It's a whole different ball game.