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Outrageous cruelty: Soldier denied PTSD treatment while awaiting day in court [Sgt. Evan Vela]
Defend Our Troops ^ | December 10, 2007 | David Allender

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


TOPICS: Editorial; Foreign Affairs; Government; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: defendourtroops; evanvela; iraq; iskandariyah; oifveterans; ptsd; wot
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Sgt Evan Vela smiles, with both thumbs up, in a photograph of his unit in Iraq.

1 posted on 12/12/2007 2:55:47 PM PST by RedRover
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To: RedRover
Sgt. Evan Vela will not get the defense he deserves without help from people like you. Please go to this website to lend a hand.

For more information, read the appeal from the parents of Sgt. Vela.

2 posted on 12/12/2007 2:57:34 PM PST by RedRover (DefendOurMarines.com)
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To: RedRover
And, for God’s sake, allow Sgt Vela to get the treatment he deserves

At least as good as the terrorist get at Gitmo.

Why, if he was a muzzie terrorist, the damn libs would be marching in the street, demanding that he receive top quality care, respectfully treated and provided with a free attorney.

3 posted on 12/12/2007 3:03:26 PM PST by cowboyway (My heroes have always been Cowboys)
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To: cowboyway

Why do they treat our troops this way?


4 posted on 12/12/2007 3:06:49 PM PST by driftdiver
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To: 4woodenboats; American Cabalist; AmericanYankee; AndrewWalden; Antoninus; AliVeritas; ardara; ...

5 posted on 12/12/2007 3:10:40 PM PST by RedRover (DefendOurMarines.com)
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To: RedRover

READ LATER


6 posted on 12/12/2007 3:11:04 PM PST by Dubya (Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father,but by me)
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To: RedRover
...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.

Sounds a lot like the case of Harry Morant.

7 posted on 12/12/2007 3:12:44 PM PST by DuncanWaring (The Lord uses the good ones; the bad ones use the Lord.)
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To: driftdiver
Why do they treat our troops this way?

And why do they treat the muzzies that way? The left wing nuts despise the military and glamorize and idolize the muzzies. The inmates are running the asylum and it's gonna be worse by an order of magnitude if they win the White House.

If I was in charge of the muzzies at Gitmo, they'd only get medical attention if they collapsed, their tribunals would be scheduled for the day after their reunion with Mohammad, and they'd only get one meal per day........to be served immediately following their daily water boarding

8 posted on 12/12/2007 3:16:57 PM PST by cowboyway (My heroes have always been Cowboys)
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To: RedRover

Excellent column!


9 posted on 12/12/2007 3:24:24 PM PST by Lancey Howard
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To: Thud

ping


10 posted on 12/12/2007 3:27:04 PM PST by Dark Wing
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To: cowboyway

>> At least as good as the terrorist get at Gitmo.

I had similar thoughts. Something sounds very wrong with the treatment of Evan. You know, members of Congress will get all hot under the collar when it involves the tender care of our enemy but not when it involves the basic rights of the men that serve at their request.


11 posted on 12/12/2007 3:44:53 PM PST by Gene Eric
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To: DuncanWaring
Sounds a lot like the case of Harry Morant.

"Well, Peter, this is what comes from empire building..."

:-(

12 posted on 12/12/2007 3:47:49 PM PST by Gondring (I'll give up my right to die when hell freezes over my dead body!)
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To: RedRover

All I see is one side of the story.


13 posted on 12/12/2007 3:57:32 PM PST by verity ("Lord, what fools these mortals be!")
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To: RedRover
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.

Transfer him now. What's the point in keeping him in Kuwait? The UCMJ still has the opportunity to proceed with their trial, regardless. Give this soldier the treatment he deserves.
14 posted on 12/12/2007 4:03:26 PM PST by Girlene (Merry Christmas)
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To: DuncanWaring
Looks like you uncovered the NCIS handbook;

There was apparently no attempt to conduct any form of forensic examination of the bodies of the alleged victims, and all the so-called evidence about the killings was verbal testimony, collected long after the events. The vast bulk of this testimony was uncorroborated or hearsay evidence obtained during the preceding Court of Enquiry, much of it apparently gathered from disaffected former Carbineers who, if Witton is to be believed, harboured considerable animosity towards Morant and Handcock....

15 posted on 12/12/2007 4:11:17 PM PST by 4woodenboats (DefendOurMarines.com)
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To: verity

Just off the top of my head I’d say this guy is innocent
I’d have to know more to make an informed guess.

But I think it’s a shame and a crime the VA is withholding money owed to this American soldier. If, of course, it’s true


16 posted on 12/12/2007 4:11:21 PM PST by okiejack (Thank GOD for Grunts!)
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To: RedRover

>>Despite this diagnosis by a military psychiatrist, the government has been unwilling to allow the sergeant the treatment he needs before he stands trial.<<

Do we know what kind of treatment they are talking about?


17 posted on 12/12/2007 4:19:05 PM PST by gondramB (Preach the Gospel at all times, and when necessary, use words.)
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To: RedRover

Good piece, Red. There’s no excuse that I can see for not getting him back here so he can be treated and any trial could and should take place here. His treatment is outrageous, IMO.


18 posted on 12/12/2007 4:19:59 PM PST by jazusamo (DefendOurMarines.com)
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To: verity
All I see is one side of the story.

Fine. But what is wrong with bringing this soldier home to the US to get PTSD treatment while he awaits his trial? Why does he need to be held in Kuwait and tried in Baghdad for something as serious as murder. Why can't that be continued here, stateside?
19 posted on 12/12/2007 4:26:23 PM PST by Girlene (Merry Christmas)
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To: verity
There isn't another side to the story at this point. Sgt Vela has been diagnosied with moderate to severe PTSD. He's been in pre-trial confinement since July 1. Those are facts.

If the government denies the request, the reasons would be their side of the story. If they give any reasons, that is. Chances are they'll just say no.

If you're interested in the charges, and the background on the case, there's info HERE.

20 posted on 12/12/2007 4:40:50 PM PST by RedRover (DefendOurMarines.com)
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