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Military judge convicts sailor who refused to deploy
sfgate - AP ^ | 5/11/5 | SETH HETTENA

Posted on 05/11/2005 4:18:57 PM PDT by SmithL

SAN DIEGO -- A Navy sailor turned anti-war activist was convicted Wednesday of missing his ship's movement when he refused to board the USS Bonhomme Richard as it deployed to the Persian Gulf in December.

A military judge deliberated about 40 minutes before finding Petty Officer 3rd Class Pablo Paredes guilty of the count. Lt. Cmdr. Bob Klant dismissed a second count of unauthorized absence, ruling the charge was duplicative.

Paredes stood at attention as the judge read the sentence, following the day's court-martial proceeding. The trial then shifted into the sentencing phase.

Paredes, a 23-year-old from the New York City borough of the Bronx, could receive a year in jail, a forfeiture of pay, reduction in rank and a bad-conduct discharge.

Paredes had waived his right to have his trial heard by a military jury.

The prosecution closed its case by saying it had proven that the weapons control technician failed to board the Bonhomme Richard on Dec. 6 — an act that was recorded by news crews at Naval Station San Diego, the scene of Wednesday's court-martial.

Lt. Christopher Castleman testified that he met Paredes at the Navy pier and warned him that if he failed to board the ship he could face criminal charges.

Defense attorney Jeremy Warren countered that Castleman also told Paredes that if he didn't board the ship he was "free to go, leaving the sailor with no idea what to do next."

Defense attorneys said Paredes had expected to be detained at the pier. Witnesses testified Wednesday that Navy officials initially planned to do so, but ultimately decided not to after consulting with Navy public affairs officials.

(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; Foreign Affairs; Front Page News; Government; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: bonhommerichard; codepink; courtmartial; desertion; pabloparedes; paredes; ruling; usn
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String him up.
1 posted on 05/11/2005 4:18:57 PM PDT by SmithL
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To: Former Military Chick

I thought you'd be interested.


2 posted on 05/11/2005 4:19:39 PM PDT by SmithL (Proud Submariner)
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To: SmithL

What a self-serving coward. Ship him to Leavenworth.


3 posted on 05/11/2005 4:21:58 PM PDT by inkling
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To: SmithL

At very least, he should rot in the brig for at least a couple of decades.


4 posted on 05/11/2005 4:24:01 PM PDT by GOP_1900AD (Stomping on "PC," destroying the Left, and smoking out faux "conservatives" - Take Back The GOP!)
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To: SmithL
Defense attorney Jeremy Warren countered that Castleman also told Paredes that if he didn't board the ship he was "free to go, leaving the sailor with no idea what to do next."

Bull product. This sailor knew exactly what he was doing and what he was going to do at every point. His duty was to make ship's movement. The ship was right in front of him. His division officer (I presume) was ordering him to board it. There is no room here for doubt or for ambiguity.

5 posted on 05/11/2005 4:25:47 PM PDT by Billthedrill
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To: SmithL

Good.


6 posted on 05/11/2005 4:28:36 PM PDT by facedown (Armed in the Heartland)
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To: SmithL
...could receive a year in jail, forfeiture of pay..BCD

You got to be kidding, deliberate action to avoid ship's movement in a time of war? Huh?

20 years hard labor is too good for this guy.

7 posted on 05/11/2005 4:30:01 PM PDT by PISANO (We will not tire......We will not falter.......We will NOT FAIL!!! .........GW Bush [Oct 2001])
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To: SmithL
".....a year in jail, forfeiture of pay, etc. blah blah.

Seems like pretty light punishment for refusing to go off to war.

And I'm not a bloodthirsty person.

(...slurp, slurp.....)

Leni

8 posted on 05/11/2005 4:30:50 PM PDT by MinuteGal ("The Marines keep coming. We are shooting, but the Marines won't stop !" (Fallujah Terrorists)
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To: SmithL
Paredes, a 23-year-old from the New York City borough of the Bronx, could receive a year in jail, a forfeiture of pay, reduction in rank and a bad-conduct discharge.

Four-of-a-kind! Sounds like a good hand to me from the Navy's perspective! Enjoy the rest of your life, ex-sailor!

9 posted on 05/11/2005 4:31:36 PM PDT by COBOL2Java (If this isn't the End Times it certainly is a reasonable facsimile...)
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To: SmithL

Lt. Christopher Castleman testified that he met Paredes at the Navy pier and warned him that if he failed to board the ship he could face criminal charges.

Defense attorney Jeremy Warren countered that Castleman also told Paredes that if he didn't board the ship he was "free to go, leaving the sailor with no idea what to do next."

Go to jail, do not pass go, do not collect $200.

It's drummed into EVERY recruit, DO NOT MISS A MOVEMENT!!!

No excuse for this.
Book him Sgt.Danno!


10 posted on 05/11/2005 4:31:53 PM PDT by tet68 ( " We would not die in that man's company, that fears his fellowship to die with us...." Henry V.)
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To: SmithL

I don't understand people who join the military then become anti-war activists. I guess he had some moment of self-realization or whatever, but anybody who has a drastic change of mind in the armed services like that didn't think things through well enough before they joined, or they wouldn't lose focus of their mission like that.


11 posted on 05/11/2005 4:32:55 PM PDT by Free and Armed
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To: SmithL
“You’re a selfish bastard. And your day of reckoning is coming.”
--Citizen Smash to Pablo Paredes, 5/1/05
12 posted on 05/11/2005 4:34:58 PM PDT by inkling
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To: GOP_1900AD
At very least, he should rot in the brig for at least a couple of decades

Keel haul him.
13 posted on 05/11/2005 4:38:05 PM PDT by ARCADIA (Abuse of power comes as no surprise)
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To: SmithL

What a worthless scumbag.


14 posted on 05/11/2005 4:40:43 PM PDT by aomagrat (Where weapons are not allowed, it is best to carry weapons.)
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To: SmithL
While his shipmates bid farewell to loved ones, Paredes sat pierside and told reporters he did not want to be part of a war he considers illegal and immoral. He said his military training taught him to avoid what he views as a war crime.

Another freedom-hating fag.

15 posted on 05/11/2005 4:42:00 PM PDT by evolved_rage
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To: SmithL
Paredes ... could receive a year in jail, a forfeiture of pay, reduction in rank and a bad-conduct discharge.

He deserves more than a year in jail. He should be sent to the red line brig at Paris Island.

16 posted on 05/11/2005 4:48:18 PM PDT by JoeGar
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To: aomagrat
Make him work in a military hospital for at least a year. Let him see the courage, conviction and Honor he lacks. Let him see the wounded that served in his place due to his cowardice.

Yes, I know most are not Navy as he is, it is the principle.
17 posted on 05/11/2005 4:48:51 PM PDT by e5man_r_u? (A Man's mission: Build, Protect, Provide)
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To: SmithL

String him up.
=======

Sheeesh... if he'd have been an illegal alien the case would have
been "dismissed for extenuating circumstances" !!! ;-))


18 posted on 05/11/2005 4:52:33 PM PDT by GeekDejure ("That may be too late!" -- Laura)
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To: SmithL

I say give him his one year breaking bolders into road base, then give him his awarded Big Chicken Dinner! That will follow him for the rest of his life!


19 posted on 05/11/2005 4:55:16 PM PDT by ibtheman
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To: SmithL

Firing Squad.


20 posted on 05/11/2005 4:55:54 PM PDT by YOUGOTIT
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