(Lt.)Pantano update

The Washington Times ^

[III-MEF]

In the press reporting on case of Marine 2nd Lt. Ilario Pantano, one oft-repeated version has been that the car he and his men stopped on April 15 did not carry weapons. That's not totally true.

The Marines have charged Lt. Pantano with two counts of premeditated murder. He says he fatally shot two Iraqi insurgents after he thought they may have armed themselves while conducting a forced search of the vehicle. Turns out, according to a source close to the investigation, that the car's two seats, front and back, were not bolted down. This is an insurgent tactic for hiding, and quickly retrieving, weapons. In the trunk were cans filled with nails and bolts — the skin-piercing projectiles insurgents build into improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

Also, while the Naval Investigative Service was investigating the case last summer, commanders wrote a glowing fitness report on the 33-year-old Lt. Pantano, who led a platoon in some of the most dangerous territory in Iraq.

"Lt. Pantano's performance during the reporting period has been noteworthy and established his reputation as an accomplished infantry leader," his battalion commander wrote in August. "His actions during the fighting in Fallujah and al Zaidon highlighted a solid understanding of tactics and an ability to anticipate the enemy. Leads from the front always and balances his aggressive style with true concern for the welfare of his Marines. Exceptional communication skills for a 2nd Lt. Organized, aggressive, focused and driven. Ready for increased responsibility. Retain, promote and assign to challenging assignments."

[Ramonan]

So--what is the problem?

[kellynla]

Wrong link

I'll see if I can find it for ya, Newbie. LOL

[kellynla]

oops, I stand corrected. I see the title threw me.
I see the partial piece down below in the article.
Carry on! LOL

[III-MEF]

If you scroll down it should be the second item on that page.

[teenyelliott]

I've heard that sometimes people die in war.

I can't believe they are prosecuting one of their own just for doing his job. I really hope the military higher ups are only doing this as a pr move and have no intention of actually convicting this guy. Not to say that is a good thing, but I would prefer that to jailing one of our soldiers for killing terrorists. I certainly do not want men in battle to have to think twice when confronted with danger.

[MattinNJ]

I am an attorney who works at a large insurance defense firm. There are several attorneys in the office, including ex JAGs, who are interested in helping Lt. Pantano by donating either time or money. Needless to say, this is an outrage. We cannot send our finest young men into harms way and then ask them to behave like NJ State Troopers (who are also held to too high of a standard, but I digress).

I keep trying to track down some contact info for his attorney but I am always jammed at work. Does anyone know how to get in touch with his attorney.

[kellynla]

Pantano's mother has a website dedicated to her son and other Marines & Soldiers.

Here is the link
http://www.defendthedefenders.com

[Ramonan]

http://www.lawyers.com/gittinslaw/jsp2199075.jsp
Charles W. Gittins
Member


Practice Areas: Military Courts Martial; Military Justice; Military Administrative Law; Military Medical Malpractice Claims; Military Courts Martial Appeals; Military Criminal Law; Military Service Records Correction; Federal Litigation.

Admitted: 1987, Virginia; 1988, U.S. Court of Military Appeals; 1993, District of Columbia

Law School: Catholic University of America, J.D., 1987

College: United States Naval Academy, B.S., with merit, 1979

Member: Virginia State Bar; Judge Advocates' Association.

Biography: Recipient: Faculty Award, Columbus School of Law, 1987. Managing Editor, Vol. 36 Catholic University Law Review. Magister, Jaworski Inn, Phi Delta Phi, 1986-1987. Author: "Branning v. United States: The Sound of Freedom or Inverse Condemnation", 36 Nav. L. Rev. 111 (1986). Member: Aircraft Owner and Pilots Association; Marine Corps Association.

Military: USNR 1974-1975; Maj. USMC 1979-1992; Lt. Col. USMCR 1992-

Reported Cases: United States v. Schmidt, 60 M.J., 1 (C.A.A.F. 2004); U.S. v. Dinges, 55 M.J. 308 (C.A.A.F. 2001); U.S.v. Moore, 55 M.J. 772 (N.M.C.Ct. Crim App. 2001); U.S. v. McConnell, 55 M.J. 479 (C.A.A.F. 2001); U.S. v. Guyton-Bhatt, 54 M.J. 796 (Army Ct. Crim. App. 2001); U.S. v. Phillips, 53 M.J. 758 (A.F. Ct. Crim. App. 2000); U.S. v. Gleason, 43 M.J. 76 (C.A.A.F. 1995); McKinney v. Jarvis, 47 M.J. 363 (C.A.A.F. 1997); Dinges v. United States, 49 M.J. 232 (C.A.A.F. 1999).

Born: Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania, October 26, 1956

ISLN: 907074937



P.O. Box 144, Middletown, Virginia 22645
Telephone: 540-868-0949 Fax: 540-868-0976

[kellynla]

yep I found it. thanks LOL
The title of the article and the other piece about Nukes threw me.

[shubi]

The worst part is they are ruining the career of a fine leader of marines, who has the right attitude toward our enemies.

[teenyelliott]

I am hoping the whole thing is all for show and he will go back to doing his job. Too optimistic?

[shubi]

Yep, once you get court martialed, you might as well hang it up. Everything you do from then on is put under a microscope.

[kas2591]

There's no microscope. They will just pass you over for promotion forever, even if you're acquitted.

[shubi]

That's part of what I meant. He needs to get out.

[MattinNJ]

Thank you very much. I read in the Washington Post that the site was hacked into by a bunch of Palestinians so you may want to be careful.

[MattinNJ]

Thank you very much. We will contact him.

[Former Military Chick]

update PING

[Former Military Chick]

ping

[just me]

I agree, if our soldiers have to think twice about danger they will end up being the ones killed. That is no way to fight a war....