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Parents say (Army) son rejects plea deal in Iraq killings, is innocent
Houston Chronicle ^ | 9 Aug 07 | AP

Posted on 08/09/2007 10:49:28 PM PDT by xzins

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To: xzins
Here's a summary of some info from WikiNews on what's out there so far. Third US soldier charged in investigation into murder of Iraqi civilians from July 5, 2007.
21 posted on 08/12/2007 8:07:16 AM PDT by Girlene
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To: Girlene

It is Hensley who is claiming his kills were legitimate. Vela is being charged with one of the three killings, as is Sandoval. Hensley is being charged with all three. Hensley was in command of the unit.


22 posted on 08/12/2007 8:49:17 AM PDT by bigheadfred
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To: xzins
There should be UAC video of the battle. As in the Haditha case the battle was photographed by video. In that case the NCIS didn’t use the videos and claimed the men were guilty of violating ROE.
I agree with your premise that AK-47’s are collected and turned in after a battle.
I have a feeling that the investigation is not complete, nor have these GI’s committed crimes.
23 posted on 08/12/2007 9:56:41 AM PDT by Doc91678 (Doc91678)
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To: xzins
There should be UAC video of the battle. As in the Haditha case the battle was photographed by video. In that case the NCIS didn’t use the videos and claimed the men were guilty of violating ROE.
I agree with your premise that AK-47’s are collected and turned in after a battle.
I have a feeling that the investigation is not complete, nor have these GI’s committed crimes.
24 posted on 08/12/2007 9:57:08 AM PDT by Doc91678 (Doc91678)
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To: xzins
A little more from Army Times, July 22(about halfway down)

...The charges against the soldiers stemmed from reports from fellow soldiers alleging wrongdoing.

An investigation by Army Criminal Investigation Command continues, but officials have said the soldiers are accused of planting either materials used to make improvised explosive devices or a small-arms weapon next to the remains of the dead Iraqis....


A personal perspective re. Hensley from a former church Church prays for accused soldier

Another article (I think it's a different one than you posted) at the Citizens Times Parents call son ‘finest’ soldier
25 posted on 08/12/2007 10:32:17 AM PDT by Girlene
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To: Girlene; Doc91678; bigheadfred

Every indication is that these are normal Americans, loved in their communities, respected in their units, being promoted at a normal to above-normal pace, and very experienced in the climate of war in Iraq.

One article says: “either IED materials or small arms” were planted. I assume those papers got that information from some source. They fail to mention the source. Often the media will report in a sensationalistic way and ignore anything exculpatory in a report.

My experience says that the Army simply doesn’t allow its troops to collect AK47s or IED materials and KEEP THEM. They MUST turn them in. If found with them, it is a court-martial offense.

Where did the AK47s come from that these troops supposedly “placed around the bodies?” If they came from that day’s battle space, which is most likely, then why are the soldiers wrong to assign them to the bodies of those they thought to be insurgents. It’s not like they have the enemy weapons cards and have absolute knowledge about which weapons goes with which body.

Why would they assign them to particular bodies? Because they have a responsibility to report during an AAR (After Action Review) about the sequence and events in a battle.

I think they’re innocent.


26 posted on 08/12/2007 2:07:42 PM PDT by xzins (Retired Army Chaplain And Proud of It! Those who support the troops will pray for them to WIN!)
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To: xzins

I have learned that vela made a statement reflecting what his co told him to report. Apparently his conscience took over and he filed a clear and concise statement as to what really took place. This is where his charges stem from (filing a false report among the rest) We don’t know any real particulars of the events or situation. The military is very reticent.So innocent, maybe not completely so, mitigating circumstances, definitely, but not knowing what they were actually doing makes it very hard to make any judgments. We love and support evan with all our hearts, minds, and souls.


27 posted on 08/12/2007 2:54:51 PM PDT by bigheadfred
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To: Girlene; bigheadfred; RedRover

Here’s the Centcom link to the original press release. They have no new info, and really appear to be using a standard reporting format.

http://www.centcom.mil/sites/uscentcom2/Lists/Current%20Press%20Releases/DispForm.aspx?ID=5231

A similar article on Vela is on the July 2/3 pages of the Centcom site.


28 posted on 08/12/2007 8:07:03 PM PDT by xzins (Retired Army Chaplain And Proud of It! Those who support the troops will pray for them to WIN!)
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To: xzins
I totally agree with you.
This is another Haditha expose tat will come back to bite the perp. More than likely another pseudo reporter.
29 posted on 08/13/2007 7:35:16 AM PDT by Doc91678 (Doc91678)
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To: xzins; bigheadfred
I'll set up a webpage so we can keep track of the case.

The biggest challenge will be a lack of information. We got fairly regular reports on Hamdania and Haditha because the North County Times covers Pendleton.

30 posted on 08/13/2007 10:11:38 AM PDT by RedRover (DefendOurMarines.com)
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To: RedRover; bigheadfred

I’ve looked on both the Centcom and the MNF-Iraq websites, and all we get is the bare bones information.

We need the soldiers themselves to get their lawyers to get some information out.

We don’t even know when the incidents are supposed to have taken place.


31 posted on 08/13/2007 10:20:26 AM PDT by xzins (Retired Army Chaplain And Proud of It! Those who support the troops will pray for them to WIN!)
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To: xzins

Most of our information has come from news reports, which also amounts to very little. My brother has been in limited phone contact, but can’t get much hard info as calls are monitored. The Military Combat Defense Fund has evinced interest in helping. Private counsel is way beyond our means, working check to check. But out resovle is strong. Evan’s JAG Attorney is no help. We’re going to try and delay this long enough to get him home. If you feel Strongly enough tell everyone you know to get involved, and stop this madness.
For all of our sakes, for all our troops.


32 posted on 08/13/2007 4:54:05 PM PDT by bigheadfred
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To: bigheadfred; xzins
Bigheadfred, I've set up a web page here. We've been able to help spread the word and raise funds for the Haditha Marines and others.

We'll do what we can to start getting the word out. Please stay in touch. You can always reach me at WarChronicle@Verizon.net.

33 posted on 08/13/2007 6:50:44 PM PDT by RedRover (DefendOurMarines.com)
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To: bigheadfred

And let me know if youf family needs any help finding a lawyer.


34 posted on 08/13/2007 7:12:12 PM PDT by RedRover (DefendOurMarines.com)
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To: RedRover

Vela, on advice from his Jag attorney, has waived his Article 32. Guess whose side he’s on. This story, as far as we know, was first reported by the Anchorage Daily News. They were the first to contact us, don’t know how to ping,pong or much else with this contraption. Send a prayer for evan’s new daughter, born this spring, that he may be around to see her grow up. That’s what he’s fighting for.


35 posted on 08/13/2007 8:22:12 PM PDT by bigheadfred
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To: bigheadfred; RedRover
Vela, on advice from his Jag attorney, has waived his Article 32.

Fred, in the military the Art 32 hearing is the same as a civilian grand jury hearing. The point of the Art 32 is to see if there is enough evidence to require that the case go to a trial.

The military is actually better than the civilian, though, because in a military Art 32, the defendant is allowed to present evidence and must get all the evidence that the prosecution has. It has been BECAUSE of the Art 32 hearings for the Marines, that General Mathis has decided NOT to have them go to trial.

Another point is that there is no jeopardy at an Art 32 hearing. I'm really puzzled by your nephew being advised to waive his Art 32.

Can you tell me the RANK and years of military experience of his lawyer? Does he have a civilian lawyer, too?

36 posted on 08/14/2007 2:19:55 AM PDT by xzins (Retired Army Chaplain And Proud of It! Those who support the troops will pray for them to WIN!)
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To: bigheadfred

Hey..frp mail is busted...did you get an answer?


37 posted on 10/19/2009 11:51:15 AM PDT by lilycicero
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To: lilycicero

not yet. did you get what I sent you? I think what I sent to them went out ok. but when I try the reply to you, nada.


38 posted on 10/19/2009 4:25:58 PM PDT by bigheadfred (NEGROMANCER!!! Run For Your LIVES!!!!)
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