Court-Martialed Army Sergeant Acquitted of Murder Charges in Shooting Death

[TheSarge]

FORT HOOD, Texas —  A military jury has acquitted an Army sergeant of premeditated murder in the shooting death of an unarmed Iraqi insurgent.

The family of Sgt. Leonardo Trevino gasped, clapped and sobbed as the verdict was read Thursday.

The 31-year-old from San Antonio also was cleared on charges of attempted murder, solicitation to commit murder and three counts of obstruction of justice.

Military prosecutors said in closing arguments that the killing last summer in Iraq was unjustified because the insurgent was severely wounded from a gun battle and posed no threat.

Trevino's attorneys say he followed the rules of engagement because he thought the Al-Qaeda insurgent was reaching for a gun.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,353849,00.html

[rich_t]

Excellent news.  Justice has prevailed in this case.

[Airwolf]

This makes how many of these that were either innocent or charges dropped? It has to be pissing off the DUmmies.

[TheSarge]

This makes how many of these that were either innocent or charges dropped? It has to be pissing off the DUmmies.

This knee jerk file charges first apologize when they're innocent routine by the military courts is going to ruin some military careers if it hasn't already.

Not to mention get kids killed because they stop and wonder if when they pull the trigger in COMBAT...they are gonna get a courts-martial for it somewhere down the road.

[THA HOUSTON PIMP IS IN DA HOUZ!]

How does that make you feel Jack Murtha?
 

[franksolich]

Hey, what ever happened to that one guy from Texas--this dates from the first months of the War for the Liberation of Iraq.

He was a black guy, an officer (a non-noncommissioned officer), a Marine, I think.

Anyway, during one sort of fracas, he apparently made it all too clear that the lives of those under him were more important than other lives--that he was most concerned with his fighting men--and he got into a great deal of trouble for it.

As a professional civilian, I think the guy should have been promoted and medalled.

I mean, aren't the lives of one's men SUPPOSED to be most important?

This was a "story" maybe four years ago, but has since disappeared.

[TheSarge]

Hey, what ever happened to that one guy from Texas--this dates from the first months of the War for the Liberation of Iraq.

He was a black guy, an officer (a non-noncommissioned officer), a Marine, I think.

Anyway, during one sort of fracas, he apparently made it all too clear that the lives of those under him were more important than other lives--that he was most concerned with his fighting men--and he got into a great deal of trouble for it.

As a professional civilian, I think the guy should have been promoted and medalled.

I mean, aren't the lives of one's men SUPPOSED to be most important?

This was a "story" maybe four years ago, but has since disappeared.

That was a LTC in the 4th Infantry Division from Ft. Hood.

At the time he was an Artillery Battalion commander.

Found out that the Iraqi Police Chief in his town was helping insurgents ambush his troops.

Brought the guy into the U.S. compound interrogated him.  the guy wouldn't talk.

The LTC took the police chief out to the weapons clearing barrel...pulled his service pistol and fired it near the man's head into the clearing barrel.

The Police Chief started singing like a canary.


If memory serves...They tried to bring a courts-martial against the Army Officer.  But no charges were brought during the Article 32 Investigation.

He did...IMHO...what any member of the military who is in charge of soldiers SHOULD do...which is anything it takes to protect his men.

Even if it includes making some thug police chief that's helping the terrorists believe the next bullet fired has his name on it.


Full Disclosure:  The above is strictly my PERSONAL opinion and does not reflect any official army policy.

[franksolich]

Well, damn, Sarge.

I know, you have to keep your opinion separate from "official" opinion.

But as a professional civilian, that guy seems EXACTLY the sort of guy we need.

This may be a minority opinion, but I think the guy's a hero, and deserves treatment given heroes.

[TheSarge]

Well, damn, Sarge.

I know, you have to keep your opinion separate from "official" opinion.

I know you understand that frank.

But you never know when lurking eyes would latch onto that and make it an "official" Army position.

But as a professional civilian, that guy seems EXACTLY the sort of guy we need.

This may be a minority opinion, but I think the guy's a hero, and deserves treatment given heroes.

I agree completely.  And after having talked to some of his soldiers who were coming home on R&R with me...he could have led them to the gates of hell to take out Satan himself after that and they'd have followed.

[Crazy Horse]

Well, damn, Sarge.

I know, you have to keep your opinion separate from "official" opinion.

I know you understand that frank.

But you never know when lurking eyes would latch onto that and make it an "official" Army position.

But as a professional civilian, that guy seems EXACTLY the sort of guy we need.

This may be a minority opinion, but I think the guy's a hero, and deserves treatment given heroes.

I agree completely.  And after having talked to some of his soldiers who were coming home on R&R with me...he could have led them to the gates of hell to take out Satan himself after that and they'd have followed.

Hell I'll follow this guy to the gates of hell