Posted on 05/11/2005 4:18:57 PM PDT by SmithL
SAN DIEGO -- A Navy sailor turned anti-war activist was convicted Wednesday of missing his ship's movement when he refused to board the USS Bonhomme Richard as it deployed to the Persian Gulf in December.
A military judge deliberated about 40 minutes before finding Petty Officer 3rd Class Pablo Paredes guilty of the count. Lt. Cmdr. Bob Klant dismissed a second count of unauthorized absence, ruling the charge was duplicative.
Paredes stood at attention as the judge read the sentence, following the day's court-martial proceeding. The trial then shifted into the sentencing phase.
Paredes, a 23-year-old from the New York City borough of the Bronx, could receive a year in jail, a forfeiture of pay, reduction in rank and a bad-conduct discharge.
Paredes had waived his right to have his trial heard by a military jury.
The prosecution closed its case by saying it had proven that the weapons control technician failed to board the Bonhomme Richard on Dec. 6 — an act that was recorded by news crews at Naval Station San Diego, the scene of Wednesday's court-martial.
Lt. Christopher Castleman testified that he met Paredes at the Navy pier and warned him that if he failed to board the ship he could face criminal charges.
Defense attorney Jeremy Warren countered that Castleman also told Paredes that if he didn't board the ship he was "free to go, leaving the sailor with no idea what to do next."
Defense attorneys said Paredes had expected to be detained at the pier. Witnesses testified Wednesday that Navy officials initially planned to do so, but ultimately decided not to after consulting with Navy public affairs officials.
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
I thought you'd be interested.
What a self-serving coward. Ship him to Leavenworth.
At very least, he should rot in the brig for at least a couple of decades.
Bull product. This sailor knew exactly what he was doing and what he was going to do at every point. His duty was to make ship's movement. The ship was right in front of him. His division officer (I presume) was ordering him to board it. There is no room here for doubt or for ambiguity.
Good.
You got to be kidding, deliberate action to avoid ship's movement in a time of war? Huh?
20 years hard labor is too good for this guy.
Seems like pretty light punishment for refusing to go off to war.
And I'm not a bloodthirsty person.
(...slurp, slurp.....)
Leni
Four-of-a-kind! Sounds like a good hand to me from the Navy's perspective! Enjoy the rest of your life, ex-sailor!
Lt. Christopher Castleman testified that he met Paredes at the Navy pier and warned him that if he failed to board the ship he could face criminal charges.
Defense attorney Jeremy Warren countered that Castleman also told Paredes that if he didn't board the ship he was "free to go, leaving the sailor with no idea what to do next."
Go to jail, do not pass go, do not collect $200.
It's drummed into EVERY recruit, DO NOT MISS A MOVEMENT!!!
No excuse for this.
Book him Sgt.Danno!
I don't understand people who join the military then become anti-war activists. I guess he had some moment of self-realization or whatever, but anybody who has a drastic change of mind in the armed services like that didn't think things through well enough before they joined, or they wouldn't lose focus of their mission like that.
What a worthless scumbag.
Another freedom-hating fag.
He deserves more than a year in jail. He should be sent to the red line brig at Paris Island.
String him up.
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Sheeesh... if he'd have been an illegal alien the case would have
been "dismissed for extenuating circumstances" !!! ;-))
I say give him his one year breaking bolders into road base, then give him his awarded Big Chicken Dinner! That will follow him for the rest of his life!
Firing Squad.
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