Posted on 07/10/2014 10:26:06 AM PDT by 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.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
I don't mean to beat a dead horse here, because you and I are speculating, but if I were a trafficker that got caught that would be my story as well.
As it is, one has to wonder why anyone would inform the Mexican cops they were in possession. You and I would likely have kept our mouths shut, having knowledge of how easy it is for anyone appearing to be US military to get busted in Mexico at the whim of anyone wearing a badge.
On the other hand, I want to believe that this young Marine believed they would allow him to turn around.
The issue between you and me is whether the CO continues to fail to take effective action. Most likely the State Dept heard about it before the CO did and thus he may have been handcuffed from the beginning. Any unsanctioned action he takes at this point, given the international flavor, could have severe personal repercussions.
“GUILTY UNTIL PROVEN INNOCENT”
For an accused person, one of the most critical differences [between American and Mexico] is that under Mexican criminal law, the accused is essentially considered guilty until proven innocent.
Mexico does not allow bail on personal recognizance and therefore a cash bail must be posted (which may not be available depending on the potential sentence).
Hey mexico, f you.
We only do that for traitors who abandon their post.
BTW...everyone should read your home page. Excellent!!
I agree. We should send a message to Mexican President and advise that they have 48 hrs to release the marine or we start bombing them.
This situation is complete BS!
>> They didn’t understand the Mexican justice system.
Is that the way we’re supposed to play?
If it’s not obvious, I don’t agree.
I agree with you that the CO didn’t, and isn’t, taking action to rescue this Marine because it might be bad for his career. I just think that is disgraceful.
If you want your child back yes. As i’ve posted on here before, co-worker had a son on vacation. Was riding on back of motorcycle, got in wreck, driver and rider both had been drinking. Co-workers son got arrested too although passenger. He freaked out for awhile, finally flew down there, paid bucks to get his son out of jail. I would too. It’s not “right” but it is what it is.
I am saying his inaction may be a) because he may no longer have jurisdiction in the matter (if in fact the Marine was within his command) or b) the result of his oath to obey the orders of his superiors.
Thank you.
Haven’t maintained the home page for the past 5 years, when it became clear to me the fix was in and there was nothing even a very large group of us ordinary folks would be able to do about it.
They need the baksheesh, after all. This is probably going to end up getting solved via baksheesh/la mordida.
You’re speculation is as valid as any other speculation.
By “we”, I’m referring to the Country looking out for its citizens. And certainly the United States has the weight and means to circumvent extortion.
bttt
Tijuana IS off-limits, DoD-wide. And a lot more parts of Mexico too, for specific branches at least: http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130814/NEWS/308140006/New-rules-make-much-Mexico-off-limits-Marines
“The United States of America does not ever leave our men and women in uniform behind.”
Let's look at that statement again:
“The United States of America does not ever leave our men and women in uniform behind.”
This president brought home a Soldier who walked away from his Brothers on the battlefield and walked right toward the enemy. And for this Soldier the Campaigner-in-Chief traded 5 of the most horrendous terrorists and then held a press conference at the White House welcoming home this deserting Soldier.
This president went to a lot of trouble and has put all Americans at risk to bring Bowe Bergdahl home but HAS NOT LIFTED ONE FINGER TO BRING HOME A DECORATED MARINE BEING HELD IN A MEXICAN PRISON!
Under this president, The United States DOES leave our men and women in uniform behind. Many of us will never forgive and never forget how he went to bed and attended one of his fundraisers while two of our Warrior Sons were fighting with all their hearts in Benghazi! We didn't have much chance to help our Sons in Benghazi but we do have a chance to help this decorated Marine chained to a bed like an animal!!!
Please call the White House...202-456-1414. We need to ring the phone off the wall up there. I believe that if every single person who supports our Troops would keep calling the White House and their reps, the pressure from the people will bring this Marine home. He isn't home yet because Obama and his administration haven't felt any any pressure up there!
Please make calls all week, everyday, on behalf of Sgt Andrew Tahmooressi. Imagine if he was your son! Sgt. Andrew Tahmooressi served two tours to protect us all, now he desperately needs our help! I can only imagine how our Troops on the battlefield are processing this. The release of a Soldier who deserts his Brothers on the battlefield is celebrated as some kind of hero at the White House Rose Garden while a decorated Marine who served two tours and stood by his Brothers is left chained to a bed in a Mexican prison.
This is the most dangerous time in the history of our country. My deepest apologizes to our Troops and our Veterans for the most disgraceful treatment they have had to endure under this reckless and cowardly president and his cavalier administration. November can't come too soon!
With A Mother's Heart,
Beverly Perlson
The Band of Mothers
Thanks for the ping.
Tahmooressi bump.
“This is the most dangerous time in the history of our country. My deepest apologizes to our Troops and our Veterans for the most disgraceful treatment they have had to endure under this reckless and cowardly president and his cavalier administration.”
I agree with you on this totally. During the American Revolution, times were as bad or worse, but at no other time that I can think of.
However, I’m not sure November’s elections will make anything better. We MAY win the Senate, but we will still have the Pretender in Chief in the White House, and the spineless ones in Congress.
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