The more I think about this whole case against Lt. Phan, the crazier it sounds. The presiding authority Pigott, starts out the whole process saying something like "Let's touch gloves. Let's do it." Ooooohh. Tough guy.
In the course of the hearing, affadavits are brought forth of three Marines who discount what NCIS official statements said. One NCIS agent actually admits his notes coorberate at least one of these Marine's affadavits. Another NCIS agent who wrote the official statement will not testify because he's in Australia. The authority states he believes NCIS agents are truthful but the Marine witness may be charged with perjury. Huh?
Lt. Phan is accused of assaulting three Iraqi's and making a false statement as to whether one of them was in custody or not. If Phan is found guilty of these assaults, he could face at least 20 years in prison. So far at least four of the Hamdania Marines will face less than 2 years in prison for alleged participation in murder. Huh?
At the end of the hearing, the presiding authority, Pigott, was rolling his eyes, making exaggerated sighs, and making derogatory comments to Cord, the military defense lawyer, as he was making his closing statement. Huh?
When civilian defense attorney, Sheldon, again asked to have certain information made unclassified, this same authority, Pigott, is found screaming at Sheldon. Huh?
Why is Pigott so determined to get Phan?
Is it personal? Is he protecting NCIS from scrutiny in other cases like Hamdania/Haditha? What would this classified information tell about this case, or any other? Is it Lt. Phan's rank since I think he's the highest ranking officer to be charged? Pigott seems to be going above and beyond the call of duty here. I wonder why?
Good questions..
Thats why I wonder if this is the standard attitude. Guilty till proven innocent in a court martial and the Article 32 hearing is nothing more than a process that rarely does anything except rubber stamp the obvious the guys guilty...Court Martial.
I wonder how many Art 32's didn't go to court martial.
The Pendleton 8 are all enlisted. They were shackled and testimony was coerced (and that testimony is now being retracted).
I'm not positive of the timeline, but I believe Phan was only charged after the "shackles" controversy.
Of course, the Hamdania Marines were charged before the Haditha Marines. Personally, I think it's not a fluke that an equal number of officers and enlisted were charged.
Haditha is, after all, their showpiece trial and they had to give the appearance of fairness.