TMLC: Marine LtCol Chessani Wins Another Round

Thomas More Law Center ^ | April 29, 2009 | (no annotation)

[Gene Eric]

ANN ARBOR, MI – Yesterday evening, the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Criminal Appeals (NMCCA), sitting in Washington DC, denied without comment the government’s motion for Reconsideration.  Government prosecutors had asked that the unanimous ruling in favor of LtCol Jeffery Chessani, USMC, by a 3-judge NMCCA panel be reconsidered by all 9 judges.   A majority of the 9 judges would have had to agree to take the case. 

The Thomas More Law Center, a national public interest law firm based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, has been representing LtCol Chessani since January 2007.  He is also represented by detailed military attorneys LtCol Jon Shelburne, USMC; Capt Jeffrey King, USMC; and Capt Kyle Kilian, USMC. 

Richard Thompson, President and Chief Counsel of the Thomas More Law Center commented, “This case has turned into a government vendetta against a patriotic Marine combat officer who loyally served his nation for over 20 years.  We must also remember the sacrifices made by his wife and children while he left them to defend us during 3 tours of duty in Iraq, and during the First Persian Gulf War, and in the Panama Canal.” 

Thompson continued, “The lengths to which our own government will go to persecute one of its most loyal officers are outrageous.  Every war needs a scapegoat, and it seems the government is intent on making LtCol Chessani that very thing.  The Thomas More Law Center won’t let them.”

[Gene Eric]

For the lists

[SJSAMPLE]

Outstanding!

I hope this guy’s life and career can recover from this travesty.

[Deb]

The Left still determined to create a William Calley.

[the long march]

This is great news. Unfortunately, one cannot restore his good name and all of the years spent fighting this monstrosity

[oh8eleven]

William Calley is the name I thought of while reading this story.
While I abhor what he did, the fact that he was the only one held responsible was an absolute travesty.

[jazusamo]

Excellent news! The prosecutors should be getting the message now, no means no!

Thanks for the post and ping, Gene..

HADITHA MARINE & MURTHA WATCH PING!

[tflabo]

Lt. Chessani is a faithful soldier and christian. The enemy is attacking his soul... BUT....”No weapon formed against you shall prosper”...Isaiah 54:17

[bmwcyle]

AMEN

[Islander7]

IMPEACH MURTHA!

[SunkenCiv]

...the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Criminal Appeals (NMCCA), sitting in Washington DC, denied without comment the government's motion for Reconsideration. Government prosecutors had asked that the unanimous ruling in favor of LtCol Jeffery Chessani, USMC, by a 3-judge NMCCA panel be reconsidered by all 9 judges. A majority of the 9 judges would have had to agree to take the case... Richard Thompson, President and Chief Counsel of the Thomas More Law Center commented, "This case has turned into a government vendetta against a patriotic Marine combat officer who loyally served his nation for over 20 years. We must also remember the sacrifices made by his wife and children while he left them to defend us during 3 tours of duty in Iraq, and during the First Persian Gulf War, and in the Panama Canal."

[ArmyTeach]

Is this decision final? Is it open to another appeal by the prosecution?

[Harrius Magnus]

William Calley committed a crime; Chessani did absolutely nothing wrong. In fact, we would all be proud to be the man that is LtCol Chessani. Clearly not so with Calley.

[Lancey Howard]

(( ping ))

Richard Thompson, President and Chief Counsel of the Thomas More Law Center commented, “This case has turned into a government vendetta against a patriotic Marine combat officer who loyally served his nation for over 20 years. We must also remember the sacrifices made by his wife and children while he left them to defend us during 3 tours of duty in Iraq, and during the First Persian Gulf War, and in the Panama Canal.”

Thompson continued, “The lengths to which our own government will go to persecute one of its most loyal officers are outrageous. Every war needs a scapegoat, and it seems the government is intent on making LtCol Chessani that very thing. The Thomas More Law Center won’t let them.”

I feel like sending another check.

[Lancey Howard]

The scumbag JAGoffs, thinking ahead to their selfish political ambitions as rat candidates somewhere, will probably take this up a notch to the next court. My understanding was that they could continue to drag this expensive (not for them) fiasco out with more appeals.

So no, it’s not done yet.

[jazusamo]

As Lancey said, there’s appeals remaining, two possible.

First to the Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces and if the prosecution loses it they can ask SCOTUS for a review.

Hopefully they’ll realize now that it’s not going to go their way.

Agree on another donation, Lancey, it’s money for a darn good cause.

[Girlene]

Thanks for the information. Outstanding! One more win for LtCol. Chessani.

After reading Thomas More Law firm’s response to En Banc Reconsideration request by the gov’t, it seems the gov’t tried to argue the full panel needed to re-review the decision because the 3 judge panel had changed the premise of the judge’s original finding of an “Appearance” of Undue Command Influence to “Actual” UCI. Or that’s the way I read it.

Hoping this time the gov’t decides to call it quits on this process and let Lt Col. Chessani get on with his life.

[Marine_Uncle]

Thanks for the heads up Jaz. It appears the good colonel may be out of the mud at this point.

[oh8eleven]

Chessani did absolutely nothing wrong
I never said he did, but thanks for trying to make something out of nothing.
You might try to decipher my screen name (or look at my homepage) to find out what I think about Lt Col Chessani.

[freema]

The government now has 60 days to appeal to the Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces (CAAF). If the government loses at CAAF, they can seek a review by the U.S. Supreme Court. After all the appeals are over, the government can attempt to bring a new case against LtCol Chessani with a new convening authority (a new General overseeing the case if that new general so desires).