Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Security for jailed Marines is eased
San Diego Union - Tribune ^ | 6/18/06 | Rick Rogers

Posted on 06/17/2006 7:03:36 PM PDT by NormsRevenge

After holding seven Marines and one sailor in maximum pretrial confinement for three weeks, Camp Pendleton officials have decided to ease up on them.

The eight men are from the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment. They're being jailed at the Camp Pendleton brig on suspicion of killing an unarmed Iraqi man in Hamdania, Iraq, on April 26. Their attorneys and military officials have predicted that charges of murder, assault, kidnapping and conspiracy are in the offing.

Yesterday, base officials said they were switching the security level for the suspects from “maximum custody” to “medium-in” custody.

The change, they said, followed a review by a brig classification and assignment board. The panel determined that the suspects merited the less stringent “medium-in” confinement.

Under maximum custody, the suspects were forced to wear handcuffs and leg-irons whenever they left their cells – both in and outside the brig.

With medium-in custody, no constraints are used while the suspects remain inside the brig. When outside the facility, the prisoners are handcuffed, and guards carry leg cuffs to use if needed.

The suspects are now allowed to have physical contact with visitors on weekends and holidays. They also get an hour of recreation daily in the brig's yard without having to wear cuffs.

“I am excited that (base officials) have decided to decrease the level of confinement. I think they rushed to judgment in putting them in maximum confinement,” said attorney Joseph N. Casas, who, along with attorney Jane L. Siegel, represents Pfc. John J. Jodka from Encinitas.

“But I want to visit John to find out for myself what level of confinement has been decided on,” Casas said. “What the Marines are calling medium confinement really isn't medium because (the suspects) are still restricted to their quarters.”

On Thursday, Casas and Siegel appeared on national television to argue that the Hamdania eight were being treated as convicts instead of men who haven't been charged with a crime.

Jeremiah Sullivan III, who represents the lone sailor, has on two occasions compared the imprisonment of his client with that of the notorious fictional cannibal Hannibal Lecter made famous in the movie “The Silence of the Lambs.”

And a week ago, about two dozen people gathered at Camp Pendleton's front gate to protest the confinement conditions. They had planned another demonstration for this weekend, but could not be reached yesterday for confirmation.

On Thursday, Camp Pendleton spokesman Maj. Jeff Nyhart issued a statement defending the maximum custody level.

He wrote: “Restriction as in other forms of restraint is a prudent measure that all law enforcement agencies use in order to ensure those accused of serious misconduct are not allowed to flee or take actions which could endanger law enforcement personnel or hurt themselves while initial allegations are investigated.”

He said the Hamdania suspects are permitted to speak to other prisoners in their wing and get plenty of fresh air and sunshine from nearby windows. Nyhart said their quarters have a bed, sink, toilet, desk and storage locker.

Yesterday, Camp Pendleton officials decided to give the suspects additional privileges through the downgrade to medium-in custody:

“Following the review procedures . . . and considering the daily review of the Marines'/sailor's condition and behavior, the board recommended that these eight service members' level of confinement be reclassified.”


TOPICS: Extended News; Foreign Affairs; Government; Politics/Elections; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: eased; hamdania; hamdaniya; iraq; jailed; letthemgo; marines; oif; pendleton8; security
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-26 next last

1 posted on 06/17/2006 7:03:37 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: NormsRevenge

This is complete 'PC BS' as far as I'm concerned. These Marines were there putting their life on the line for us here in the states, and they wind up prisoners. PURE BS!


2 posted on 06/17/2006 7:09:03 PM PDT by The Bronze Titan
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: NormsRevenge

This makes me sick whenever I think of those guys in jail. When they are exonerated, I hope they "frog march" Murtha into prison for sedition!!


3 posted on 06/17/2006 7:12:00 PM PDT by PhillyRepublican
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: NormsRevenge

FREE THE CAMP PENDLETON 7!


4 posted on 06/17/2006 7:19:05 PM PDT by LA Conservative (Worry Mongers Perpetuate Their Worthless Existence By Scaring Everyone)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: NormsRevenge
The Gitmo prisoners get treated better - Where's all the bleeding hearts now?
5 posted on 06/17/2006 7:22:05 PM PDT by maine-iac7 (Lincoln: "...but you can't fool all of the people all of the time.")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: NormsRevenge

This is worse than Haditha - they are being held for killing a guy planting a roadside bomb based on the "testimony" of his family. Every officer involved in imprisoning these guys is a traitor.


6 posted on 06/17/2006 7:22:21 PM PDT by stinkerpot65
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: PhillyRepublican

These are not the Haditha Marines..these are different. In any case Murtha is a despicable man.

God Bless, Protect and Keep Safe All Who Serve Our Country. I owe them a debt I cannot repay.


7 posted on 06/17/2006 7:22:38 PM PDT by MEG33 (GOD BLESS OUR ARMED FORCES)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: NormsRevenge
From Michelle Malkin.com:

THE CAMP PENDLETON 8
By Michelle Malkin   ·   June 14, 2006 10:40 AM

***update: We've captured and posted the video of Hillary getting booed as she asks progressives to support the troops. Guess they won't be helping out the Camp Pendleton 8...LGF asks: What's wrong with Marine brass?***

My column this week calls attention to the Camp Pendleton 8--7 Marines and Navy corpsman being held in shackles with no charges against them as higher-ups investigate an alleged murder of an Iraqi man earlier this spring in Hamandiya. Excerpt:

Did you know there are seven young Marines and a Navy corpsman sitting in a military brig right now in leg and wrist shackles -- despite the fact that they've not been charged with any crime?

The men are in solitary confinement, locked in 8'x8' cells at San Diego's Camp Pendleton, as investigators probe an April 26 incident involving the 3rd Battalion, 5th Regiment, 1st Marine Division. They are behind bars 23 hours a day; family members can only see them through inch-thick Plexiglas. Military blabbermouths have told the press that the service members are suspected of kidnapping and shooting a man in the Iraqi town of Hamdaniya. The Iraqi man's family reportedly came forward seeking payment for his death as media hysteria set in over the separate alleged atrocity in Haditha.

These men -- our men -- may be innocent. They may be guilty. Charges may or may not be filed this week. But this much is certain: The media leaks and the Murtha-fication of the case are already taking a heavy toll on the troops and their families. The headlines have already convicted them: "Iraqi's Slaying Planned By Marines, Official Says." "Marines Planned to Kill Iraqi Civilian, Then Planted Evidence."

***

I have heard from several family members and friends with connections to the Camp Pendleton 8.

Erica is the wife of one of the men. She has set up a website to tell her husband's story here and she is asking for help:

I'm writing this on behalf of my husband, who is a corporal in the U.S. Marine Corps. He has been deployed to Iraq three times, serving in a rifle battalion as an infantry man, and I have been with him every step of the way.

A month after leaving for his second deployment, our first and only child (our daughter) was born. The first time my husband saw our child she was 6 months old. Also during his second deployment, he witnessed his best friend being shot and killed by enemy gunfire. My husband was awarded the Purple Heart for combat wounds.

On this last combat tour, two months before he was to return home, my husband was sent back to the states and into pretrial confinement at the military base brig at Camp Pendleton, California. At the brig, he is under maximum security. It's unfair considering the fact that he was in Iraq (for the third time) risking his life, fighting for our country and he has not been convicted of anything.

My husband is one of the seven Marines and one sailor that are being held without being charged over accusations about the incident in Hamandiya that has been in the news for the past few weeks. Whenever he leaves his cell, he is shackled, handcuffed, and escorted by two guards. He is kept in solitary confinement and let out for exercise only 1 hour a day. When I visit him, he is presented to me behind a thick glass barrier and still shackled. We can’t even touch each other.

My husband's term in the Marine Corps is up this November. Four long years.....and then something like this happens. He was planning on re-enlisting this November to become a recruiter or work at the recruiting range. He loves his job and sees himself in the Corps for at least 4 more years. But his dreams just may have went down the drain.

My husband and I have a lot of support coming in and we thank each and every one who has shown this support. It is especially appreciated at this time when we need to raise public awareness and give him a proper legal defense. With him imprisoned and without the support of the Marine Corps, I was left to fight this fight alone. On an enlisted man's salary, I had quite a fight ahead of me.

Fortunately, one of the best lawyers that a Marine can ask for has just agreed to join me in this fight. My husband is being represented by Mr. Victor Kelley, a retired Marine officer with a history of successfully defending Marines.

As I write this, Mr. Kelley is on his way to meet with my husband. Since the Marine Corps has told us nothing, we don't know what Mr. Kelley will face when he gets there. But, we do know that he is the person to find out. Hopefully, he will able to move this process forward and gain my husband’s freedom.

Private First Class John J. Jodka is also being held. His father has a website here:

This website is dedicated to my 20 year old hero, my son John.

John is a consummate Marine serving his country to the best of his ability. John heard the call to citizen service and was assigned to combat in Iraq with the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division (REIN), "Darkhorse 3/5", one of the most storied infantry battalions in the history of the US Marine Corps.

John has always wanted to serve his country at the "tip of the spear" as a Marine rifleman. My proudest moment in life was watching as John's Senior Drill Instructor handed the Eagle, Globe and Anchor to him at Boot Camp graduation. John needs your help. He is currently held by the Marine Corps in SOLITARY CONFINEMENT along with 7 others of his squad under investigation for the Hamdaniya incident that occurred in combat on April 26, 2006 in Iraq. John has not yet been charged, yet is held in the most severe confinement possible. By comparison, the Marines being investigated for the Haditha incident are free on the base.

My son spends 24 hours a day locked in a small 8x8 cell with only a small bed, a small stainless steel toilet, and a shelf for some of his personal belongings. He is not allowed to write letters because pens or pencils are considered "weapons." He is allowed to walk out of his cell only when he showers or visits with his family and attorneys. But when he does, he is shackled hand and foot. To visit him means to sit on the other side of a glass wall without being able to touch him. Remember, John has not even been charged. John is innocent and he needs your help.

His family has retained civilian counsel Joseph Casas and Jane Siegel to fight for his rights due him under the Uniform Code of Military Justice and the Constitution of the United States, but the costs will be staggering. He faces serious charges and a long road ahead of him. John and his family have contributed all their funds to the defense. My son, my hero, is in a VERY bad spot but I am convinced beyond a shadow of a doubt of his innocence. I am overwhelmed by the strength of my son's moral convictions and belief in the truth. When we visit him at the Brig, we go in sad thinking about his condition, but we come out uplifted from listening to his motivation and unwavering faith. Sadly, the US Marine Corps leadership has turned its back on my son and his squadmates in a Quixote-like search for political correctness; but even though he is abandoned by his leaders and held in conditions worse that Zacarias Moussaoui's prison, my son's positive attitude, humor and fervent belief in what is right buoys my spirits and uplifts those around him.

Christina at Blue Girl in a Red State is a close family friend of the Jodkas and a proud liberal outraged by her friends' plight. She is trying to get congressional representatives to pay attention. She wrote to tell me she is challenging liberal blogs to contribute to Jodka's defense fund. I wish her the best of luck. She is continuing to cover the story.

The wife of the Navy corpsman in custody has a website here:

My husband is a 20 year-old Hospital Corpsman Third Class. He graduated from high school in June 2003. He began his first combat deployment to Iraq in July 2004. During his first deployment, 19 Marines from his Battalion gave their lives as the ultimate sacrifice for our country. Nine Marines from his Company were killed, five of them in one firefight. Two Marines died in my husband's arms. My husband was awarded the Purple Heart during his first deployment. He returned home in April 2005, in time for the birth of our daughter. In January 2006, after spending a very short time at home, my husband left again for his second combat tour in Iraq.

I proudly stood by my husband each time he deployed because I am also an active duty Hospital Corpsman Third Class proudly serving our country. Even though I wear a military uniform, it was still difficult to watch my husband deploy to combat because I didn't know if I would ever see him again. I know that our daughter is too young to appreciate what has happened to her father, but I know in my heart she misses him.

My husband is represented by Attorney Jeremiah J. Sullivan, III. Mr. Sullivan informed our family that his office has received numerous telephone calls from concerned citizens, companies, and organizations from across the country. Many of them have asked how they can donate funds to defray my husband's legal fees. As a result of this overwhelming generosity, I have set up this fund for the benefit of my husband. Any contributions received will be utilized solely for his defense. Contributions may be mailed to: Patriot Defense Fund, P.O. Box 80862, San Diego, CA 92138-0862. All checks should be made payable to the "Patriot Defense Fund."

I have had the opportunity to visit my husband at the Brig in Camp Pendleton. During the visits, my husband's arms and legs remained shackled at all times. I can only speak to my husband through the glass with a guard posted in the room. When I told my husband about the support he has received from across the country, it immediately lifted his spirits. Words cannot express my husband's gratitude for the many kind words and support.

I will update this website as often as I can with more current information as it becomes available. It has been extremely difficult between working, visiting my husband, and caring for our daughter. I will do my best. You may send e-mails to my husband at HM3@patriotdefensefund.com. I will deliver your e-mails to him. Your words of support will be greatly appreciated.


***

The national media ignored a protest by supporters outside Camp Pendleton over the weekend. Not a peep heard yet from the American Civil Liberties Union. The website of the self-anointed crusaders for individual rights contains hundreds of articles on the rights of al Qaeda suspects and an indignant press release on the suicides of Guantanamo Bay detainees. But no mention of the Camp Pendleton Eight. For their part, human rights groups were too busy shedding tears for the Gitmo terrorist suicide squad and lionizing them as "heroes" in the words of William Goodman of the Center for Constitutional Rights. Editorial cartoonists have been preoccupied desecrating the Marine Corps logo and tarring troops as baby-killers.

A clarion voice stepped into the fray this week to push back against the global rush to judgment against our troops. Ilario Pantano, a Desert Storm vet-turned-Wall Street banker and new media entrepreneur-turned-commissioned Marine officer from Hell's Kitchen, launched his gripping book "Warlord: No Better Friend, No Worse Enemy" this week, which recounts his harrowing ordeal as a Marine smeared and cleared. Last spring, he faced the death penalty for defending himself and his men in the heat of battle and killing two Iraqi insurgents. He was accused then, as Marines are being accused now, of wantonly executing Iraqis to send a message. His family and friends' defense of Pantano was met, as those of Marines are being met now, with incredulity or apathy.

There were no pleas to withhold judgment against Pantano from the New York Times then. No Oprah sit-downs now with the wives and children of accused troops.

As an agitated, condescending Ann Curry of NBC's "Today Show" tried to paint Pantano Monday as a callous thug, he replied with quiet dignity: "I don't think it's helpful to national security to have this kind of self-flagellation before the facts are actually disclosed."

Innocent until proven guilty? Justice for all? Benefit of the doubt? These are apparently foreign concepts when it comes to Americans in uniform being held on American soil. Perhaps if our troops proclaimed themselves "conscientious objectors" and converted to Islam, they might start getting some sympathy.

***

Dan Riehl takes a close look at reporting on the alleged murder and says "Press Accounts Of Second Alleged Atrocity Don't Add Up."

Sounds familiar.

***

8 posted on 06/17/2006 7:43:55 PM PDT by xzins (Retired Army Chaplain and Proud of It. Supporting our Troops Means Praying for them to Win!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: NormsRevenge

This has been and continues to be a major topic almost daily on Michael Savage's radio programme. He is defending and raising funds for them to the end.


9 posted on 06/17/2006 8:01:06 PM PDT by Napoleon Solo
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: NormsRevenge
Image hosted by Photobucket.com is that waht used to be called a RedLine brig???
10 posted on 06/17/2006 8:01:33 PM PDT by Chode (American Hedonist ©®)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: NormsRevenge

They should be given medals , no the brig


11 posted on 06/17/2006 8:10:05 PM PDT by LeoWindhorse
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: PhillyRepublican

Imprisoned, and still not charged! How long is this going to take?

Eventually, we'll find what we already know: they didn't do anything wrong!


12 posted on 06/17/2006 8:15:21 PM PDT by La Enchiladita (God Bless Our Troops...including U.S. Border Patrol, America's First Line of Defense)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: La Enchiladita

I wonder if they have military lawyers to help with their defense. Doesn't sound like it.


13 posted on 06/17/2006 8:45:59 PM PDT by art_rocks
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: The Bronze Titan

The Commandant of the USMC needs to retire yesterday. The brass should be backing these American heroes until and unless they are proven guilty, not treating them like Gitmo scum.


14 posted on 06/17/2006 8:49:46 PM PDT by EricT. (CA conservatives only serve to inflate the number of electoral votes won by the Dems.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: NormsRevenge

Why does Murtha have so much influence? He's just a Representative, and a minority one at that.


15 posted on 06/17/2006 9:06:41 PM PDT by Fiji Hill
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: The Bronze Titan

8 American POWs, plus the three officers at Camp LeJunne who were relieved in conjunction with this case. A Major and two Captains.

The whispers are now that the Battalion Commander is in the zone to be considered for Colonel and felt like relieving the three lower ranking officers would help his chances of being promoted.

And the next question that those familiar with the military would ask is Where is the Battalion Sergeant Major in all of this? Why isnt he out front protecting these enlisted Marines?

Many, many questions will have to be answered here quickly.


16 posted on 06/17/2006 10:25:16 PM PDT by armydawg1 (" America must win this war..." PVT Martin Treptow, KIA, WW1)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: art_rocks

Here is the lawyer for the lone sailor imprisoned at Camp Pendleton in the case.

http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/story.php?f=1-292925-1851659.php

Says he's a "former Navy Lawyer."



17 posted on 06/17/2006 10:35:14 PM PDT by La Enchiladita (God Bless Our Troops...including U.S. Border Patrol, America's First Line of Defense)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: Napoleon Solo

God bless Michael Savage!


18 posted on 06/17/2006 10:37:52 PM PDT by armydawg1 (" America must win this war..." PVT Martin Treptow, KIA, WW1)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: EricT.

Very well said!


19 posted on 06/17/2006 10:38:32 PM PDT by armydawg1 (" America must win this war..." PVT Martin Treptow, KIA, WW1)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: The Bronze Titan
The 'Marines' were frogmarched into changing the status of the Marine detainees from high security confinement to to a lesser security level, whatever that means. Meanwhile, terrorist detainees in Guantanamo are treated like visiting royalty, with special politically sensitive menus, accommodations for their religious observances, treated with kid gloves. No shackles for them, much less 8 hour interrogations with no water, food or personal need breaks. Sounds like the treatment afforded to our marines does not comply with the Geneva conventions, to say nothing about American standards of jurisprudence.
Unacceptable. Our marines should be afforded the assumption of innocence until proved guilty. The enemy is playing us for fools and we are falling into the trap.
20 posted on 06/17/2006 10:47:35 PM PDT by ArmyTeach (NOT ON MY WATCH!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-26 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson