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 ...
Too lenient
I very much agree.
But he was smart with this move....
Paredes had waived his right to have his trial heard by a military jury.
LVM
Not sure it made any difference. Would have been found guilty of the same charge with the same maximum penalty.
Read beyond the headline. "could receive a year in jail"
Indeed thanks friend!
Obviously a cheap shot at Bush just after his re-election and the press was making a phoney deal about the cabinet moves.
I'm privy to a few other things, but to summarize, this numb nut went out of his way to screw himself bigtime.
Way too light a punishment. No wonder he didn't ask for a jury.
One year??? His commitment was longer as might have been his tour there.
Most likely in five years this will even be erased.
Should have gotten five or more years and a Dishonorable Discharge.
Yup, a complete slap on the wrist.
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To: tgslTakoma
They link the images in their latest email action alert, (I receive their crap at an annonymous email address).
May 10, 20057 posted on 05/11/2005 3:50:16 PM PDT by maggiefluffsDear xxxxxxxxxx,
In over 20 cities, CODEPINK activists gathered this past weekend to honor the original Mother's Day call for peace. From the recruitment center in Reno, Nevada and the Air and Space Museum in Washington DC to the Cinco de Mayo carnival in Chicago and the state capitol in Sacramento, CODEPINK was there. Thank you for ALL the ways you spoke out this weekend! (Check out some of the CODEPINK women and men in action) [Images linked here, link http://www.codepink4peace.org/article.php?list=type&type=48]It's another full week and once again, we'd love your help...
* Sailor Pablo Paredes (San Diego, CA) and soldier Kevin Benderman (Ft. Stewart, GA) will go before military court martial tribunals for their opposition to the Iraq war on Thursday. Join us in supporting these courageous young men by signing the petition urging their discharge. We must do all we can to support dissent within the ranks.
* When John Bolton was nominated to be our UN Ambassador, CODEPINK sprung into action -- disrupting his hearing with banners and exposing the bully he truly is. This week, we have a REAL chance to stop Bolton before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee votes on THURSDAY, May 12. Please take a moment to CALL YOUR SENATOR RIGHT AWAY to say that a UN-basher must not fill this important post.
* With the violence in Iraq escalating, we urge you to join Counting the Cost, a campaign to make the human cost of the war more visible. On May 15, 2005, people around the country will wear a number representing one of the Iraqi citizens, U.S. soldiers, coalition soldiers, and other international civilians who have been killed in Iraq. You can join a vigil being planned for that day, organize one of your own, or simply spend the day wearing your number and talking to your neighbors about it. Contact www.countingthecost.org to sign up for a number.
Let's use this week to build on our Mother's Day pledge to bring an end to war NOW.
Dana, Gael, Nancy, Jodie, Medea, Rae, Tiffany and Farida
Do you know what they do with Marines that are to psycho & mean to be Marines?
They make them guards at Leavenworth
Time for Seaman Recruit Paredes to meet his new shipmates he will serve under!
File photo shows tugboats maneuvering the USS Bonhomme Richard as it reverses into dock in Sydney Harbour June 20, 2003 as part of a contingent of five US naval ships visiting Sydney after participating in operations during the war in Iraq. Navy Petty Officer Pablo Paredes, who refused to board the USS Bonhomme Richard as it was preparing to sail from San Diego in December, was convicted by a Navy judge on a charge of missing his deployment. Photo by David Gray/Reuters
Maybe he joined just to get the college program. Guess he forgot (or brain f@rted) what the real purpose of the military is.
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