I agree with everything you stated above.
So, I will pose one question regarding the fear that Pantano's conviction will have on Marines facing split second life or death decisions regarding the use of deadly force.
Who would have known about this case if it wasn't for the Defense's strategy to use the media?
Even after every conservative pundit railed against the Corps, they still did not make a statement, even though I believe they were entitled to under Rule 3.6.
How much have you heard about these cases found at this website? I wonder how much DtD.org would be willing to give to their appeals to go hire a civilian attorney?
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/apus_story.asp?category=1110&slug=Marine%20Iraq%20Death%20Glance
Soldiers charged in Iraqi, Afghani deaths
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
A look at some of the soldiers charged with murder as a result of military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan since 2001. Does not include soldiers charged in deaths of Iraqi and Afghani prisoners.
Marines:
-2nd Lt. Ilario Pantano is undergoing an Article 32 hearing to determine whether he will face a court-martial on charges he murdered two Iraqis. The hearing, similar to a civilian grand jury hearing, began Tuesday at Camp Lejeune, N.C.
-One other Marine was charged with murder during the Iraq war, but that charge was dismissed following an Article 32 hearing, a Marine spokesman said Tuesday.
Army:
Army spokeswoman Lt. Col. Pamela Hart said Tuesday 15 Army soldiers have been charged with murder during the Iraq conflict. Of those, she said, eight have gone to trial with four convicted of murder. The others were convicted of lesser charges.
Some of the Army cases:
-Staff Sgt. Johnny Horne pleaded guilty in December to killing a severely wounded 16-year-old Iraqi male during fighting in Baghdad's Sadr City neighborhood. Staff Sgt. Cardenas J. Alban was convicted in January in the same killing.
-Capt. Rogelio "Roger" Maynulet was convicted in March of assault with intent to commit voluntary manslaughter in the shooting death of a wounded Iraqi.
-Pvt. Federico Daniel Merida, of the North Carolina National Guard, pleaded guilty in September to killing a 17-year-old Iraqi soldier after the two had consensual sex in a guard tower.
-Sgt. 1st Class Tracy Perkins was acquitted in January of involuntary manslaughter in the alleged drowning of an Iraqi civilian but convicted of assault for forcing the man and his cousin into the Tigris River for violating curfew. 1st Lt. Jack Saville pleaded guilty in March to assault and other crimes in the same incident.
-Staff Sgt. Shane Werst faces a court-martial on charges he murdered an Iraqi civilian during a search for suspected insurgents.
-Cpl. Dustin Berg, Indiana National Guard, faces a court-martial on a charge he murdered an Iraqi police officer.
-Spc. Brent May and Sgt. Michael P. Williams face charges of premeditated murder and lesser counts in a killing in Sadr City, Baghdad. A court-martial is pending.
Navy and Air Force:
-Military spokeswomen said Tuesday that no Navy or Air Force personnel have faced murder charges during the current conflicts.
Did you hear anything about them? I think I heard something in passing about CPT Maynulet, an Army O-3 who got convicted, but got no jail time.
I understand that everybody is entitled to a defense. But, it seems that Pantano's media strategy in this case has had a detrimental effect on the morale of Marines.
It seems that it would have been better on all Marines if he would have done from the beginning what he did at his Article 32.....kept his mouth shut.