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Soldier's sanity debated in murder case
UPI.com ^ | 12-1-2010 | staff report

Posted on 12/02/2010 11:02:10 AM PST by smoothsailing

Soldier's sanity debated in murder case

Published: Dec. 1, 2010 at 3:58 PM

FORT CARSON, Colo., Dec. 1 (UPI) -- A Colorado hearing for an Army private, accused of killing a prisoner in Afghanistan, heard conflicting reports on his mental state.

Soldiers testified by telephone from Afghanistan Tuesday for Pfc. David Lawrence's preliminary hearing at Fort Carson, the Denver Post reported.

Lawrence, 20, is charged with premeditated murder for allegedly killing Taliban commander Mullah Mohebullah in his cell Oct. 17, hours after his capture. The defense portrays a troubled young man who was put on antidepressants and sent back to his unit, while the prosecution says Lawrence is feigning mental illness.

One witness, Pfc. Dimitri Jenkins said Lawrence, a "good friend," was "up and down."

"Sometimes you could tell he was on his meds, something in his eyes," Jenkins said.

But others said they saw him after the killing and heard him talk about claiming an insanity defense.

"It was something along the lines of his attorney is going to try to pull the crazy card," said Pvt. Aaron Rederstorf, recounting a statement he said he overheard after Lawrence was in custody.


TOPICS: Extended News; Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events; US: Colorado; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: afghanistan; colorado; kowtowtokarzai; lawrence; rushtojudgement; waronterror
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To: bigheadfred; jazusamo; Girlene
our boys called BS probably figuring he would be released AGAIN and organized a hit.

Good stuff, Fred.

Mullah Omars secretary Mohibullah, popularly known as Haji La La

La La?

From post #36 above...

Reports from Arghandab indicate that coalition forces entered a prison around 9:30 pm on Sunday evening and shot dead a detainee

Coaltion Forces, not just one lone PFC.

41 posted on 12/02/2010 6:41:39 PM PST by smoothsailing
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Witness Sgt. 1st Class John Murphy said Lawrence seemed resigned to fate while in the Kandahar jail.

“He said

‘If they punish me for killing an enemy of my country, what can I do?’

,

” Murphy said.

Read more: http://www.gazette.com/articles/soldier-108811-mental-illness.html#ixzz170pWr7bf

42 posted on 12/02/2010 6:57:49 PM PST by smoothsailing
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To: smoothsailing; jazusamo; Girlene

I thought I read that 10 people were under investigation.


43 posted on 12/02/2010 7:06:42 PM PST by bigheadfred (STAND IN THE CORNER AND SCREAM WITH ME...)
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To: bigheadfred; smoothsailing

Good stuff by both of you.

If it was known this turkey was captured and released previously it could very well have had something to do with it.

I guess it’s not too surprising that Soros would have his filthy fingers in this somehow. Ugh!


44 posted on 12/02/2010 7:14:10 PM PST by jazusamo (His [Obama's] political base---the young, the left and the thoughtless: Thomas Sowell)
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To: bigheadfred; jazusamo
I havn't read about 10 people, but have seen references to "coalition forces" and "soldiers".

Here's another twist...

........................................

On Monday, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization released a statement saying a detainee was found dead in his holding cell on Sunday, after being arrested during an operation on Saturday night.

"The detainee was shot after four or five other detainees were taken out of the holding cell," said an Afghan official familiar with the investigation. "After the shot was heard, the soldiers went to the cell and found the dead body."

The Afghan official's account was confirmed by coalition officials.

Source

Were the "four or five other detainees" removed from the cell so they couldn't identify the shooter? Was PFC Lawrence capable of doing all that alone?

45 posted on 12/02/2010 8:06:43 PM PST by smoothsailing
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To: smoothsailing; jazusamo

I can’t seem to find it smooth. Perhaps I misread something. I’m going to check with someone tomorrow that might have more details. And it may have come from an earlier conversation with them.

Really seems like they are hushing and rushing this.

Most of what I can find is the same spiel.

I will tell you I was told about a month ago “Don’t expect to see anything in the news about this”.

Seems like that assessment is dead on. But that person would definitely know for sure.


46 posted on 12/02/2010 8:32:29 PM PST by bigheadfred (STAND IN THE CORNER AND SCREAM WITH ME...)
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To: jazusamo

I’m heading to the closet to “scream my head off!”


47 posted on 12/02/2010 9:51:14 PM PST by Semper Fi Mom (Mother of a Marine and proud of it! (www.WeSupport Frank.com))
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To: Semper Fi Mom; jazusamo; bigheadfred; lilycicero; Defend Our Marine

UPDATE

Soldier charged in shooting sent to mental facility



The Denver Post

Posted: 12/03/2010 01:00:00 AM MST
Updated: 12/03/2010 08:21:43 AM MST

A Fort Carson soldier charged with fatally shooting a jailed Taliban member in Afghanistan was transferred to a mental-health facility Thursday, his father said.

Pfc. David Lawrence was admitted for inpatient treatment, Brett Lawrence told The Associated Press. The father said the facility is in Colorado, but he did not know the name or the city.

Fort Carson officials said they couldn't comment because of privacy rules...

.........................................................................

Read more: Soldier charged in shooting sent to mental facility - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_16765071#ixzz174mONuUb

48 posted on 12/03/2010 11:16:06 AM PST by smoothsailing
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To: smoothsailing; 4woodenboats; American Cabalist; AmericanYankee; AndrewWalden; Antoninus; ...

Thanks for posting and the heads up, Smooth.

Schizophrenia is a terrible thing if that in fact is what he suffers from. Hopefully he can be treated successfully regardless of the disease.


49 posted on 12/03/2010 11:25:44 AM PST by jazusamo (His [Obama's] political base---the young, the left and the thoughtless: Thomas Sowell)
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To: jazusamo

Prayers.(((((Hugs)))))


50 posted on 12/03/2010 12:17:06 PM PST by fatima (Free Hugs Today :))
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To: jazusamo

The army must bear someresponsibility if they employed someone not trained to do the job. The young man’s mental condition must be proven, normal or impaired before he can be held responsible.


51 posted on 12/03/2010 1:35:53 PM PST by Paperdoll ( On the cutting edge)
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To: jazusamo

You’ve got e-mail! :o)


52 posted on 12/03/2010 2:58:45 PM PST by smoothsailing
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To: TiredOfTheAntics; jazusamo
TiredOfTheAntics-WELCOME TO FREE REPUBLIC!!!

(Jaz, would you please add TiredOfTheAntics to our ping list? Thanks!)

53 posted on 12/03/2010 3:46:25 PM PST by smoothsailing
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To: smoothsailing; TiredOfTheAntics

You bet!

Welcome to Free Republic and the ping list TOTA, you’re on!


54 posted on 12/03/2010 3:53:28 PM PST by jazusamo (His [Obama's] political base---the young, the left and the thoughtless: Thomas Sowell)
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To: Paperdoll; jazusamo; smoothsailing; TiredOfTheAntics
I am very, very glad this young man is going to get some care in the States. Very glad.

The army must bear some responsibility

That's not the way is works. And I see them downplaying this "coalition forces" angle best they can. Pin it all on one kid with some mental issues. Wouldn't want anyone to think any of our troops over there are disaffected. Big Brass has to show they are in control.

Bet that number of disaffected troops is gonna really grow if they repeal DADT.

55 posted on 12/03/2010 4:47:50 PM PST by bigheadfred (STAND IN THE CLOSET AND SCREAM WITH ME...)
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To: bigheadfred; Paperdoll

Well said, bhf.

I’m sure you’re right and the most important thing is for David Lawrence to get help.


56 posted on 12/03/2010 4:58:56 PM PST by jazusamo (His [Obama's] political base---the young, the left and the thoughtless: Thomas Sowell)
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To: WayneS

PFC Lawrence was moved to a mental health facility for treatment yesterday evening. See the latest AP Story: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jCP4Ygk_RBW_r5FGsjAlnqmOPapw?docId=e9530b65a6a14910a4729e3b83006726

While you are at it, read about the death of the chaplain that sent this young man into a downward spiral: http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-chaplain-20101202,0,1891421.story?page=1

So yes, believe that the voices and mental illness are real.


57 posted on 12/03/2010 7:50:07 PM PST by TiredOfTheAntics (Extended News; Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events; War on Terror)
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To: TiredOfTheAntics; jazusamo; bigheadfred

Another update, this looks encouraging in terms of holding the Army back until PFC Lawrence’s status is medically established.

...............................................

An Army panel is working to determine whether Lawrence is sane enough to stand trial.

In military court, a defendant can be found innocent if it is determined mental illness left him “unable to appreciate the nature and quality or wrongfulness” of a crime.

Also, under court-martial rules, a defendant may not stand trial if they aren’t competent to understand what’s happening in the courtroom or participate in their own defense.

Culp argued during the hearing that Lawrence, who frequently fell asleep at the defense desk, didn’t understand the proceeding.

He said Friday that it’s doubtful the evaluation of Lawrence will be finished by a Dec. 10 deadline set by the Army, which could delay further proceedings.

If the mental evaluation takes more time, it could be weeks before a Fort Carson general decides whether Lawrence will stand trial.

http://www.gazette.com/articles/soldier-109010-carson-charged.html


58 posted on 12/03/2010 8:07:55 PM PST by smoothsailing
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To: smoothsailing; TiredOfTheAntics; jazusamo; Paperdoll; Defend Our Marine; Semper Fi Mom; ...

Thanks for the links.

Whether David Lawrence was “motivated” by a serious illness, or something else, IMO, he did the right thing.

Take a look a the big picture.

I would bet way over half of the conflict in the world is because of radical islam. The Middle East, the Phillipines, Iraq, Afghanistan, Somalia. Russia, and it’s former satellites. Bosnia. Chechnya. Turkey falls away. Yemen is a new home. It is seemingly an endless parade.

Iran and their pet raving lunatic.

The troubles in Pakistan.

The troubles in India.

The troubles in western Europe.

NYC. Fort Hood. Portland. Oklahoma City.

The Oklahoma City bombing had ties to radical islam.

Most of the countries that support terrorism are moslem

Most acts of terrorism in the world are committed by islamites.

We are in Afghanistan to take the war on terror to one of it’s main sources. Yet it is nothing more than a political dance.

The US govt. has given us the Patriot Act, the TSA, Homeland Security. For what reason? To protect us from radical islam. To the point we are all suspects and rights and freedoms are set aside to “protect” us.

The FBI spying on AMERICANS.

Your grandma can’t cross the street without some govt. agency making sure those knitting needles in her bag aren’t loaded.

To protect us from radical islam.

The moderate moslems are ok. Right.

The problem with the moslems is they change their loyalties like my wife changes her underwear (I would’ve used myself as an example, but, well...)

The Govt. tells citizens they can’t protest islam. It might piss them off. But it is ok to piss on the Flag. On MY religious beliefs. On the Constitution.

Soldiers are trained to kill. Their mission in foreign lands is to kill the enemy.

islam is the enemy. moslems are the ENEMY.

Just think of the conflicts and controversy that would simply disappear without islam in the world.

People say “We are not like that” “That’s not what we’re here for” “We would be the savages”

Sure, yeah, RIGHT. Shut up. You have no right to protest being probed, groped, investigated, indicted, prosecuted, IMPRISONED.

Wipe islam in all its form(s) from the face of the planet and excise it’s name from the memory of mankind forever.

It is the ONLY way.

(My use of “islam and “moslem” instead of “Islam” and “Muslim” is intentional. They DO NOT deserve even that much respect)


59 posted on 12/03/2010 9:07:12 PM PST by bigheadfred (STAND IN THE CLOSET AND SCREAM WITH ME...)
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To: jazusamo; bigheadfred

Other than medication, is there any help for schizophrenia? I think a great deal of mental illness is caused by chemical imbalance in the body. Sadly, mMost doctors know nothing about nutrition.


60 posted on 12/04/2010 9:57:17 AM PST by Paperdoll ( On the cutting edge)
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