Officer questions findings in Pantano case USMC LT

starnewsonline ^ | May 19, 2005 | John DeSantis

[Dubya]

The lead prosecutor urging the case for murder against 2nd Lt. Ilario Pantano took the unusual step Wednesday of questioning findings of the officer hearing the case, who recommends that criminal charges not be pursued.

Government attorneys argued after a five-day hearing last month at Camp Lejeune that Lt. Pantano’s shooting of two suspected Iraqi insurgents was an execution. The Wilmington Marine has maintained that it was an act of self-defense.

Lt. Col. Mark E. Winn, the hearing officer, stated in a report to Maj. Gen. Richard Huck, commander of the Marine Corps’ 2nd Division, that the government’s case failed and should not be brought forward, a decision hailed by Lt. Pantano’s relatives and a growing national cadre of supporters.

Prosecutors have refused to comment on the case since the time it was first made public in February. But Maj. Stephen Keane, senior trial counsel for the Marine Corps, broke his silence Wednesday.

“We stand by the evidence we presented,” Maj. Keane said. “We showed a case where a set-up took place, and the accused at best invited self-defense, and the investigating officer did not comment on those elements.”

[theDentist]

took the unusual step... of questioning findings

They're looking for a scapegoat of the war (every war has them) to show all soldiers that questionable actions will be reviewed, no matter how shaky the accusing character is.

[taxesareforever]

Gotta love those "government attorneys". In other words, attorneys hired by the government at taxpayer expense. I hate it when they use my tax dollars to pay lawyers to undermine our nations finest and bravest.

[kellynla]

Major Keane needs to "let it go!"

Pantano did his job and saved Marines' lives.
Point, Game, Set, Match!

Semper Fi,
Kelly

[kellynla]

Not to worry, Pantano has a fine civilian attorney(and if memory serves, he's a former Marine) representing him who specializes in these type cases.

Semper Fi,
Kelly

[A.A. Cunningham]

In other words, attorneys hired by the government at taxpayer expense.

Those are JAG Corps lawyers, commissioned officers in the Marine Corps in this instance. They get paid out of the DoD budget whether they prosecute cases or not.

[Gunrunner2]

>> the accused at best invited self-defense, <<

As much as patrolling a street in Baghdad.

Sheesh. . .that's the whole idea of combat. . .close with and destroy the enemy.

[river rat]

I find the "lawyer's" use of the word "execute" interesting at best --and accusatory at worst..

Marines are IN FACT sent against the enemy to execute WARFARE.

It doesn't require more that a 40 IQ to grasp that scenario..
In a war zone -- suspect illegal combatants who act or move in any manner representing a treat to self or force -- forfeit life..

It's really no more complex than that folks..
To ask our warriors to "take the first hit" is insane.
Semper Fi

[kellynla]

Well my brother Marine, you are preaching to the choir.
You and I both know if we had been in Pantano's place we would have done the same thing. And because Pantano and I did what we should have done, Marines are alive today and the enemy isn't!

Semper Fi,
Kelly

[river rat]

treat = threat

Freudian slip?

Semper Fi

[joebuck]

Looks like someone is dead set on turning Lt. Pantano into the Harry Morant of the Iraqi war.

[Little Ray]

I thought war crimes trials were only for the losers?

[verity]

?

[river rat]

Many stories remain untold -- of what our warriors historically faced to defend themselves and their brothers against the lunatics of the world...

There's a lot of folks out there that MUST be killed, before they have the opportunity to have their way with YOU and YOUR'S......

It's as simple as that, folks.

I for one, am relatively unconcerned as to how we go about accomplishing that..

Semper Fi

[kellynla]

Well like my father used to say, ya have to "take out the trash" every forty or fifty years. LOL

And since the Lefties aren't volunteering, it's a dirty job but somebody has to do it.

Semper Fi,
Kelly

[kimosabe31]

There's a lot of folks out there that MUST be killed, before they have the opportunity to have their way with YOU and YOUR'S......It's as simple as that, folks.

I for one, am relatively unconcerned as to how we go about accomplishing that..

You're right river rat. With 1.2B musli's on the planet, there's easily 50 to 100 million that fall into the "islamofascist" catagory and will need killing. Can't afford to have a major Keane type out there referreeing and making sure our guys play fair. What needs to happen now is reduction in rank to about corporal for Keane, a dishonorable discharge and 1 to 5 years in the brig.

[Mom of 2 Marines]

"What needs to happen now is reduction in rank to about corporal for Keane, a dishonorable discharge and 1 to 5 years in the brig."

If you substitute "Pantano" for "Keane" you will have it right.

Just because there wasn't "credible evidence" doesn't mean Pantano didn't do it. But then again, OJ Simpson basically got off for the same reason.

[kimosabe31]

Just because there wasn't "credible evidence" doesn't mean Pantano didn't do it. But then again, OJ Simpson basically got off for the same reason.

Lt Pantano did exactly what his country sent him to Iraq to do...kill terrorists. I don't give a crap what he was thinking at the time as long as he hit the right guys. And, it is the height of absurdity for a handful of "shiny pants" military bureaucrats at camp Lejune to be trying to read his mind and persecuting him for doing the job he was sent to do.

As for you Mom of 2 Marines, you are head cheerleader for your local "fair play for islamofascist" committee and a f###ing phony.

[Mom of 2 Marines]

Pantano didn't kill terrorists, he killed two POWs.