Posted on 12/08/2007 7:33:29 AM PST by bigheadfred
BAGHDAD — As a military court prepares to try the last of three U.S. snipers on murder charges, the soldiers have accused their commanding officers of pushing to expand rules of engagement to produce more "kills" and then abandoning them when they were accused of murder.
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
It’s getting to the point where a man has to have an unhealthy amount of martyr complex in him to serve in this nation’s military.
We won’t fight for our warfighters. There’s no real reason they should continue fighting for us.
Can’t wait to get the rest of the information on just how badly Evan has been treated from the start. CID crapped on his rights from the start. I vote we revoke their citizenship and let them stay in Iraq.
Pretty typical. Boss tells you to push the envelope, he'll cover you if anything comes down, then leaves you to crash and burn when management finds out. Dude isn't going to get his general's star if he gets in trouble for something like this, let the worker bee take the rap.
Hey kids, your safest bet to serve your country and not be brought up on charges is to join the Air Force or Coast Guard.
I have a slightly longer version of this story on my e-mail. This is an excerpt from that.
Vela was held for 30 days in Kuwait without seeing a court-appointed lawyer, who then recommended by phone that Vela waive his right to an Article 32 hearing, the equivalent of a grand jury, to determine whether the case should go to court-martial.He agreed to waive it, but a civilian defense team hired by his father appealed the decision and won. Vela's defense team accused senior commanders, including Army Gen. Rick Lynch of the Multi-National Division Center, of obstructing his access to a fair trial.( LA Times)
My brother told me on Thursday there is $500 left in the Defense Fund.
If there is anyone out there who can help us, PLEASE visit this website,http://www.sergeantevanveladefensefund.org/, there is a mailing address in the "About" section for contributions. Evan really needs the help .
Hi, Lily. Good thing the bighead didn’t have to go to Iraq. Without getting too involved here, let’s just say Capt. Steele is a lucky man. I ain’t quite as calm as my brother. I know I wouldn’t have restrained myself like he did.
On a December Saturday morning in Anchorage?
My response would have you tracking me down to slap this S out of me. :-}
As far as I know he is back on active duty. But don't know anything further.
Why in the world would Evan’s JAG recommend waiving his hearing? Sometimes this happens once civilian attorneys are hired to save on attorney costs. But the JAG lawyer is supposed to be working for Evan, and is free. Did the JAG ever give an explanation as to his line of reasoning for his client?
What? And prove he was complicit with the prosecution and CID?
The best thing he can do is keep his mouth shut and his head low, really low. And to definitely stay out of dark alleys.
My brother said the jag came off as arrogant.
The best front you can have when you are nothing more than a whiny piece of S**T.
That is absolutely terrible. Everybody is all up in a huff about Gitmo and other terrorist detainees getting the full protection of American court due-process while Evan gets treated worse than the enemy caught running a terror safe-house.
As for the brass who would rather railroad this guy to keep the PR quiet, they’re worse than despicable for not defending their own guy. Kick the JAG out of the military, chuck his veteran’s benefits, and court-martial Gen. Lynch.
Thank God you understand this.
Evan was never told he didn't have to submit to any CID INTERROGATIONS. Then to threaten a man with his family. He has a new 6 month old baby daughter.
And then to have his appointed counsel call him on the phone and say screw it kid, give up now.
To top it off, all of his outfit have come home to Alaska, leaving him behind.
Thank you Red. Not much good at html here.
E-mail to you.
One of the better battalion commanders I had was a guy who told his company commanders to tell all their troops NEVER to talk to CID.
He commanded them to explain what “can and WILL be used AGAINST you.” means.
He detested their day-long, heavy-handed, statement-writing interrogations.
E-mail to you too.
This is Evan’s address, for any who are interested.
Sgt Evan Vela
Theater Field Confinement Facility
APO, AE 09366
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