Posted on 01/01/2008 8:07:57 AM PST by RedRover
Springboro High School graduate and Marine 1st Lt. Andrew Grayson will face a court-martial on charges related to the deaths of 24 Iraqi civilians in Haditha in 2005, the Marine Corps announced Monday.
Grayson, 26, will stand trial on charges of making false official statements, obstruction of justice and attempting to fraudulently obtain his discharge last summer.
Grayson was not present during the Nov. 19, 2005 incident in which four Marines allegedly killed 24 Iraqi citizens with grenades and gunfire after a roadside bomb hit a Marine convoy, killing the driver and wounding two other Marines.
Grayson, an intelligence officer, is accused of botching the investigation and ordering the destruction of photographs connected to the case.
The 1999 Springboro graduate and Panthers running back could not be reached for comment, nor could his attorney, San Diego-based Joseph Casas.
In a December 2006 interview, Grayson told the Dayton Daily News he was "sad, taken aback and definitely surprised by the allegations."
David Allender, founder of the Web site DefendOurMarines.com, called the case against Grayson and others "an absolute sham."
"(Grayson) was an officer who had no contact with the accused enlisted men, who was never at the scene, whose work led to the capture of those responsible for the (roadside bomb), and who had nothing to 'cover up,' " Allender said.
Grayson previously had been recommended for the Bronze Star medal because of his actions on the day of the killings, his attorney said last year.
Casas said the nomination praised Grayson for learning of two other roadside bombs from Iraqis he questioned after the attacks. He was also cited for obtaining information that led to the capture of two men who detonated the bomb that sparked the violence.
Four enlisted Marines were initially charged with murder in the case and four officers were charged with failing to investigate the deaths. Charges against several of the men have been dropped and none will face murder charges.
The four of eight Marines charged for crimes at Haditha who will face court martials in 2008 should and will be either exonerated or only found guilty of relatively minor procedural offenses.
The preliminary Article 32 hearings into the facts and circumstances, and the consequent recommendations by the hearing officer, eliminated the most serious charges as inadequately substantiated. What remained was largely reduced by the general who is the convening authority.
What the Marines face is allegations of not being perfect, in the face of battle.
More at the link.
I hope a new idea rises to meet more defense fund needs.
Agreed. Bruce Kessler is a powerfully smart cookie. His analysis has been spot-on from Day One.
How about a new line of Marine Beany Babies?
Great article, smooth! (And, hey, did you see all the nice things I said about you?)
"Every American should be outraged at the way this dedicated Marine and his family are being treated by the nation he so loyally defended." -Richard Thompson, President and chief counsel for the Thomas More Law Center
Indeed.
They would be Frank & Beanys.
Bump!
Smooth deserves all those nice things you said about him. :-)
With a side of Tatum tots.
Yes, Red, I saw that.
But what folks need to know, is this. I passed a baton to a stronger and steadier hand. You have taken it and run with it.
Your diligence, your commitment, your humor, enthusiasm, and total dedication to truth are the result of the efforts of many, but you lead the way.
Stay strong, brother, we ain't out of the woods yet.
Well said!! The both of you.
I have a borrowed idea for you to ck out. It’s somewhere in my Mary Poppins bag so it might take a sec.
I’m nodding out at the ‘puter so I’ll have to wait until tomorrow to see what you have in your bag of tricks.
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