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To: smoothsailing

Under a loosening of Posse Comitatus, the government formed JT-6 which deployed military troops to stop drug smugglers along the border.

I’m sure Cain doesn’t remember this, as he’s not from Texas, but there was a huge outcry in TX when the Military shot this Presidio, TX teen who was herding goats. The troops were pulled out after this.

Wednesday, June 4, 1997
DA doubts military version of border shooting

DALLAS (AP) June 4, 1997 - - Local and state authorities say they’re
beginning to find discrepancies in the military’s explanation of the
fatal shooting of a Presidio County teenager by a marine two weeks ago.

Ezequiel Hernandez Jr., 18, a high school student from Redford, was
killed May 20 when he came upon four Marines participating in a Joint
Task Force 6 mission to watch suspected drug routes for the Border
Patrol.

The case is expected to go to a Presidio County grand jury next month.

Marine Col. Thomas R. Kelly, deputy task force commander, said Hernandez
fired two shots at the Marines and had raised his .22-caliber rifle to
fire a third when the non-commissioned officer in charge returned fire
with an M-16 and killed the teenager.

But District Attorney Albert Valadez told The Dallas Morning News that
early results of the local investigation raise questions.

“The comments made by the military were conclusions that were drawn
perhaps prematurely, he said in the newspaper’s Wednesday editions. I
would never draw conclusions as quickly as they did without some type of
tangible evidence.

Texas Ranger Capt. Barry Caver also hinted that the military’s version
of events might not add up.

“Some of the evidence, as far as the injuries to the body and the angle
(of Hernandez’s bullet wound), doesn’t exactly match what they’re
telling us,” Caver said.

Caver also said there was a “good possibility” that Hernandez wasn’t
aware that he was shooting at Marines, who were dressed in heavy
camouflage, their faces blackened and bodies covered in burlap and
leaves.

Maureen Bossch, a spokeswoman for the El Paso-based military unit,
expressed surprise at the officials’ remarks and added that the military
is cooperating with investigations of the shooting.

Authorities say the Marines were conducting surveillance because the
area is used heavily by drug smugglers crossing the Rio Grande.
Officials said they do not believe Hernandez was involved in any illegal
activity when he was shot.

The incident has raised questions about the wisdom of using military troops in border operations.


122 posted on 10/15/2011 8:10:09 PM PDT by sockmonkey (Freepers, please turn yourself in at attackwatch.com)
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To: sockmonkey

A kid with a .22 taking potshots at 4 armed men?

Strange story.


125 posted on 10/15/2011 8:19:24 PM PDT by smoothsailing
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