Posted on 05/26/2005 6:01:27 AM PDT by Brian Mosely
CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. (AP) — A Marine Corps general has dismissed all charges against a lieutenant accused of the murder of two Iraqis.
URGENT
Corps drops charges against lieutenant accused of murder
Eds: ADDS background, detail
CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. (AP) — A Marine Corps general dismissed all charges Thursday against a lieutenant accused of the murder of two Iraqis, the military announced.
The decision of Maj. Gen. Richard Huck, commander of the 2nd Marine Division, ends the prosecution 2nd Lt. Ilario Pantano.
“The best interests of 2nd Lt. Pantano and the government have been served by this process,” the Marine Corps said in a statement.
Military officials accused Pantano of premeditated murder for what they maintain was the unjustified killing of two suspected Iraqi insurgents in 2004, near Mahmudiyah.
Prosecutors alleged Pantano intended to make an example of the two detainees by shooting them 60 times and hanging a sign over their bodies — “No better friend, no worse enemy,” a Marine slogan.
Pantano contended he acted in self-defense.
An investigating officer concluded in a report to Huck that murder charges should be dropped against Pantano, a former Wall Street trader who rejoined the Marines after the Sept. 11 attacks.
Good!
This guy is a hero!
We should be holding him up as an example of what the American military is all about!
Great news. Michael Savage was the only national talk host who gave this guy any attention.
Good news.
Semper fidelis!
Bump.
Yes, that was the recommendation to this commanding general, who apparently just rendered his decision.
1. For killing theses two Islamo-fascist bastards
2. For putting up with being charged for it
It will be interesting to see what happens to him now. Will he stay in (be allowed to stay in)? Or will he tell the Corps to shove it?
HooRAH!
I think O'Reily did this story on tv. Not sure how much coverage he gave it though since I can't stomach too much O'Reily. Now they need to do something about that liar that got this guy in all this trouble.
You can contibute to Marine Second Lieutenant Ilario Pantano's defense fund which covers his legal expenses as well as security expenses related to the recently received death threats to him and his family.
Donate $10 or more and receive an official Defend the Defenders bumper sticker.
Donate $50 or more and receive an official Defend the Defenders logo t-shirt for each $50 donated.
Thank God! There IS some semblance of sanity left in this world. With any luck this will start a chain reaction of common sense.
O'Reilly wasn't really much of an advocate for Patano.
He more or less just told the story, and said that he thought Patano should be cleared.
What he did not do...which he should have done...was hold the man up as a hero.
Common sense is sorely needed in Washington!
Good news!
That is absolutely fabulous news!
Great news. Michael Savage was the only national talk host who gave this guy any attention.
That is true. He also had him on his show several times. When he has to, Savage comes to the plate & hits one out of the ballpark.
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