Mexican judge sends Marine Andrew Tahmooressi back to prison

Fox News ^ | 07/10/2014 | Joseph J. Kolb

[SeekAndFind]

A Mexican federal judge sent Andrew Tahmooressi back to prison after the U.S. Marine sergeant made his first official courtroom appearance since being locked up more than three months ago for accidentally crossing the border with guns in his pickup truck.

The 26-year-old veteran of two tours in Afghanistan was finally able to tell his story to a judge, after his case had been delayed by both Mexico's unpredictable legal system and his own trouble settling on a lawyer. It was not immediately clear what Tahmooressi said at the evidentiary hearing, which was closed to the public. The next hearing in the case is scheduled for August 4.

Despite the judge's ruling, Tahmooressi's attorney, Fernando Benitez, told reporters that he was confident that the Marine's case was on the right track. Benitez said that his client's statement to the judge was "sound and made perfect sense," and claimed that irregularities with Tahmooressi's detention were grounds for dismissal of the case. The attorney said that his client was not provided with consular services for nearly eight hours after he was detained, nor did he have access to an adequate translator.

In addition, Benitez said that the order to search Tahmooressi's vehicle was dated March 28, three days before the Marine crossed the border.

Benitez had earlier sought to dampen hopes that federal Judge Victor Octavio Luna Escobedo would free Tahmooressi, although supporters, including his mother, Jill Tahmooressi, had held out hope.

Tahmooressi has been held since March 31, when he accidentally drove into Mexico at the San Ysidro, Calif., Port of Entry late March 31, after becoming disoriented from poorly lit street signs and being in a position on the road unable to make a last ditch U-turn.

[Guenevere]

So do I!

[rodguy911]

I am proud of several of our Fla. delegation and higher ups who are doing what they can to get Tamoressi out of Jail.
I had the pleasure of meeting Pam Bondi Sunday night and along with everything else she has to do as our Att. Gen. of Fla. she is also doing her best to get our guy out of jail.

[rodguy911]

Every time I go to the grocery store I CHECK EVERY LABEL AND MAKE SURE NOT TO BUY ANYTHING THAT SAYS 'PRODUCT OF MEXICO'. Lots of fruits and vegetables are grown in Mexico!!! BOYCOTTO PRODUCTO Y MEXICO!!!;

This has been my idea for some time now. It will get their attention. Especially tourism and the few things they make.