Marine Admits Tampering With Parachute

AP | 8/06/03 | ESTES THOMPSON

[kattracks]

CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C., Aug 06, 2003 (AP Online via COMTEX) -- A Marine charged with cutting the lines of parachutes that were to be used in a training jump pleaded guilty Wednesday to assault and reckless endangerment.

Lance Cpl. Antoine D. Boykins, 21, of Baltimore pleaded guilty to nine counts of reckless endangerment, four counts of aggravated assault and one count of destruction of government property.

The judge, Col. Alvin Keller, told Boykins that he could face 31 years in prison, forfeiture of pay, reduction of rank and dishonorable discharge. The hearing was continuing Wednesday morning.

The plea deal was approved last month by the commanding general of the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force, but kept confidential until the hearing. A court-martial scheduled last month was canceled.

Boykins originally was charged with 13 counts of attempted premeditated murder, 13 counts of reckless endangerment, 13 counts of aggravated assault and other crimes.

Charges against another Marine, Lance Cpl. Julian C. Ramirez, 25, of Los Angeles, were dismissed in April.

A third Marine, Cpl. Clayton A. Chaffin, 28, an air delivery specialist from Franklin, Ohio, is charged with 31 counts, including reckless endangerment, aggravated assault, conspiracy and drug charges, the base announced Wednesday. He was in custody at the base.

Air delivery specialists jump from aircraft with cargo.

Three Marines were injured Sept. 21, 2002, when their parachutes failed to open when they jumped from about 1,250 feet. Their reserve chutes deployed safely.

Other jumps for that day's exercise were canceled, and investigators later found that 13 of the 22 parachutes had been sabotaged.

At a hearing in March, a military prosecutor said Boykins and Ramirez cut parachute suspension lines because they had been disciplined and were angry with their platoon commander.

The charges against Ramirez were dismissed the following month after his attorneys argued that no forensic evidence linked Ramirez to the crime.

By ESTES THOMPSON Associated Press Writer

[wideawake]

At a hearing in March, a military prosecutor said Boykins and Ramirez cut parachute suspension lines because they had been disciplined and were angry with their platoon commander.

These guys are sick and need to be shot, not imprisoned. Or better yet, tossed parachuteless out of a plane.

[trebb]

Don't courts marshall them, leave the scumbags to the rest of the platoon.

[mbynack]

Don't courts marshall them, leave the scumbags to the rest of the platoon.

I bet that their lives aren't going to be pleasant until they're out of the military. Even the guys in federal prison aren't going to like the fact that these bastards tried to kill fellow Marines. They deserve anything that they get.

[jos65]

These guys are toast irregardless of what the official military stance is.

This episode will follow them the rest of their natural lives.

Thanks fot the post John

[AngryJawa]

Forget about jail time. Take him up in a plane, open the door, and make him use "exhibit A".

[jos65]

These guys are toast irregardless of what the official military stance is.

This episode will follow them the rest of their natural lives.

Thanks fot the post John

[Snake Eater]

This happened a couple of years ago in the Army as well. A rigger by the name of Williams cut the 80-lb. test line that ties the apex of the canopy to the packing tray. A captain ended up ridind his reserve in. I think that Williams just got out of Leavenworth recently. By the way, air delivery specialists don't jump with the cargo as the article states. They merely rig it for the drop. Nobody jumps with cargo--who wants to be in the air or on the ground when a 1000-lb pallet decides to occupy the same space as you?

[Mark17]

Don't courts marshall them, leave the scumbags to the rest of the platoon.

Do that, after they court martial them.

[vetvetdoug]

Antoine of Baltimore and Ramirez.....hmmmmmm......puts them squarely in the corner of the Democrats with the traitors.

[mystery-ak]

Their new *room mates* at Levenworth(sp) are going to love these guys.

[Steel Wolf]

This is about the most malicious, honorless, and stupid crime anyone could possibly have done. 31 years in Ft. Leavenworth should provide plenty of time to reflect on just whay that is.

[kellynla]

He won't be in a federal prison. He will be in a Marine Corps brig for 31 years. And the last place in the world you want to be is in a Marine Corps brig.

[mbynack]

I believe that they can only be sent to the brig for sentences of six months or less. Otherwise they go to someplace special like Leavenworth.

[mbynack]

Disregard my previous post. According the USMC site the guideline is 12 months and the prisoner may be transferred to a federal prison. Either way he's going to be very unpopular with the staff and the other convicts. He thought life was rough before - wait until he gets behind the bars of a real prison. I escorted some pretty hard corp criminals to Manheim prison in 1980 and they were crying within a half hour of walking through the front door.

[Semper Paratus]

And the last place in the world you want to be is in a Marine Corps brig.

I thought it was Navy brigs with Marine Guards.
But that would be a distinction without a difference.

[B-Chan]

As I recall, the Army and Air Force have stockades; the Navy, Marines and Coast Guard have brigs. Navy brigs are generally supervised by Masters at Arms (MA), not by Marines.

[kellynla]

To the contrary. Big friggin' difference in a Marine Corps brig and a Navy brig my friend. And anyone who thinks there isn't has not been in a Marine Corps brig.

[kellynla]

"I believe that they can only be sent to the brig for sentences of six months or less" WRONG

[austinTparty]

Welcome to FR.