Posted on 12/12/2007 2:55:43 PM PST by RedRover
Sgt. Evan Vela, of the 501st Infantry Regiment, sits tonight in a military prison in Kuwait. Confined since July 1, Vela is one of three Army snipers charged with murder for an incident near Iskandariyah, Iraq.
Two squadmates involved in the incident, Sgt. Hensley and Spc. Sandoval, were exonerated of murder charges in courts martial this past fall.
As a soldier, Sgt. Vela was pushed beyond the limits of human endurance, going days without sleep in pursuit of our enemy in Iraq. While in confinement, Vela was diagnosed with moderate to severe Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Despite this diagnosis by a military psychiatrist, the government has been unwilling to allow the sergeant the treatment he needs before he stands trial.
Now the government has a chance to make amends.
Dr. Rosemary Carr-Malone has petitioned authorities to transfer Sgt. Vela to Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Dr Carr-Malone is Assistant Director of the Mental Health Directorate at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. As forensic psychiatrist for the defense, she has coordinated for Sgt. Vela to be received at Walter Reed to be treated for his PTSD and tested and evaluated for possible Traumatic Brain Injury.
Chances seem slim that the government will grant the request. So far, authorities have stacked the deck against Sgt. Vela--as only the government can. His government-appointed military counsel was ineffective, and had the sergeant sign a waiver of his right to a judicial investigation (known as an Article 32 hearing). Additionally, exculpatory witnesses have been blocked from testifying on Sgt Vela’s behalf. The government has also been unwilling to move his trial (which may take place in February) to the States despite the near-impossible financial burden a trial overseas has placed on Sgt. Vela's family.
It’s unclear why the government is going out of its way to see Sgt Vela convicted of a crime he likely never committed. Perhaps there’s pressure to show the Iraqi government that the United States punishes its own.
As a supporter of the troops and their mission in Iraq, I have a suggestion for our government. Give Iraqi leaders a tour of Walter Reed. Take a line from a Spielberg movie and tell them, “Earn this.” And, for God’s sake, allow Sgt Vela to get the treatment he deserves
Thanks, Lance. Soldiers or Marines, the same crap is rolling down on them.
Correction to above. That’s PTSD, not PTSF.
There's a link to Dr Carr Malone's affidavit above. If you're interested, I also have pdfs of the Request for Treatment and Testing and the Request for Change of Trial Locations that covers the facts.
Thanks for the links. According to Dr. Carr-Malone’s affadavit, Sgt. Vela requires more intensive evaluation and treatment than is available at his confinement facility. There is room, and a doctor has accepted him at Walter Reed. She also wants him further evaluated for TBI, Traumatic Brain Injury. So what’s the problem with getting this soldier some help? Why does the convening authority Maj. Gen. Lynch insist on holding him in Iraq vs. getting the medical treatment he needs?
This is such bullsh*t ..How dare they treat a US soldier like this. He should say he is a terrorist , they would treat him like gold. we need to complain to about this . Anyone have a contact that would make a difference ?
My first thought was that I can see not taking someone out of the country where he is charged with a crime..but then I noticed they already took him out of Iraq and into Kuwait...hmmm
Thanks for the affidavit link. If my starting position was skeptical toward our troops I would read that as them saying the initial tests didn’t find anything. I’m not sure why him being sleep deprived would have an impact on whether he is brought to the U.S. -that sounds more like a defense for trial than a need for testing.
But since my predisposition is to try to give our soldiers the benefit of the doubt and since it feels like there is a hunt for scapegoats and since removing him from Iraq apparently isn’t the issue - I’m glad to see the profile raised on this. Not just for this boy but for the country - we need out men and women in uniform to know they will get a fair shake if they are accused of something - if for no other reason than we need young men and women to volunteer and why would they if they see they get less fair handling and less medical treatment than convicted common criminals?
BTW, I appreciate your efforts brining these kinds of things to our attention.
BTW, I did just get a message from a Blue Star Mom who read the article. She plans to write to MG Lynch and will encourage other Blue Star moms and dads to do likewise.
Also BTW, Rob Pennington, in the Hamdania case, had a similiar diagnosis and that may have played a part in Gen Mattis' (belated) clemency.
These cases are my obsession and I’m glad to share them. Otherwise, I’d just be muttering about them all day to myself.
BTW, the scuttlebutt is that the prosecutors’ pride is wounded after losing the first two cases in this matter. Word is that they want Vela not because they are seeking justice, but for their own selfish purposes. But that’s just scuttlebutt, of course...
This is sick. Pathologically sick.
Also, you'll be interested to know that the defense has requested the testimony of an expert forensic pathologist, Dr. Michael Baden.
Ditto and amen, Uncle!
This story has been on Free Republic for months. Our own Red Rover is responsible for getting Sgt Vela the lawyers that he now has. Evan’s uncle, Freeper Bigheadfred, has been keeping us informed throughout.
Click on RR’s links above and they’ll take you to the entire chain of stories on this case.
Un-freakin-believable... I am shocked at Rick Lynch - he usually has the best interests of his soldiers at heart. He writes op-ed pieces for the Savannah paper about once a month and has been a strong & vocal advocate for supporting the troops. I’ll fire off an email and forward your article to the Savannah paper (if that’s okay).
I LOVE Dr. Baden - he is awesome. It’s a shame the Marines didn’t use him for the Haditha hearings. I would have loved to hear his comments about the NCIS conclusions.
Please do, Chick! The more voices in the chorus, the better.
For those who don't know yet, I am Evan's Uncle. We are appalled at this entire mess.
We have been doing everything we can, but this has drained us dry. All of the money we have raised, through family and contributions has been spent.
We are BEGGINGfor help. If you can't contribute financially, I have posted Evan's address. A card or note of support would be greatly appreciated.
We are trying to get the word out, and Evan's dad (my brother) has done numerous local media interviews, but it would be great to have this story and our plea for help spread nationwide.
The time is past for the wringing of hands and people saying "Someone should help that poor man". That someone is all of YOU.
If the citizens of this country step forward with one voice, not just for Evan, but for every man and woman in military service and say,
Rule .303.
For those who don't know yet, I am Evan's Uncle. We are appalled at this entire mess.
We have been doing everything we can, but this has drained us dry. All of the money we have raised, through family and contributions has been spent.
We are BEGGINGfor help. If you can't contribute financially, I have posted Evan's address. A card or note of support would be greatly appreciated.
We are trying to get the word out, and Evan's dad (my brother) has done numerous local media interviews, but it would be great to have this story and our plea for help spread nationwide.
The time is past for the wringing of hands and people saying "Someone should help that poor man". That someone is all of YOU.
If the citizens of this country step forward with one voice, not just for Evan, but for every man and woman in military service and say,
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