Former Marine Sgt. Jose Nazario goes on trial Tuesday in U.S. federal court for the alleged killing of four Iraqi prisoners during the battle for Fallouja in November 2004.
IRAQ: Can civilian jurors understand combat decisions?
Trial begins for former Marine accused in Iraq killings
Jose Luis Nazario Jr. is accused in the killing of four prisoners in Fallouja. He is the first to be tried under a law that allows prosecution of a former Marine or soldier for acts during combat.
By Tony Perry, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
1:25 PM PDT, August 21, 2008
A jury of nine women and three men, only one a military veteran, heard opening statements today in the federal trial of a Marine accused of killing unarmed detainees in Fallouja.
Jose Luis Nazario Jr., 28, is the first civilian to be tried under a federal law that allows the prosecution of a former Marine or soldier for actions during combat. Nazario is accused in the killing of four Iraqi prisoners.
In his opening statement in U.S. District Court in Riverside, Assistant U.S. Atty. Charles Kovats described Nazario as a man who killed "unarmed, submissive, docile" detainees and violated the Marines' rules that call for humane treatment of prisoners.
"He failed to do what he was educated to do," Kovats said. Looking at the jury, he said, "I am going to ask you to have honor, courage and commitment by convicting Nazario."
Nazario undercut the U.S. mission in Iraq, Kovats said, by losing "the high moral ground that distinguishes the Marines from the insurgents."
Defense attorney Kevin McDermott said Nazario killed insurgents to aid his fellow Marines.
"There really is only one rule in combat: We keep each other alive," he told the jury.
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Being the daughter of Kevin B Mcdermott, the lead defense attorney for Nazario, Ive been there everyday in court taking notes and watching the prosecutors despartely trying to make a case out of nothing but what witness' "say" they have seen over in Iraq. However, now these two lead witness' are mostly likely going to be held in contempt and are not testifying under any circumstances. Also how can one rely on a witness to recall what really happened when they are suffering from PDS
ReplyDeleteSo the prosecutors really have nothing to go on and if this trial is not found in the favor of Nazario, American society we'll really see what our legal system is all about
These team of lawyers together teamed up to defend Nazario with my father as lead and are doing all of this legal work for free
So if you people really want to help out society to defend the military innocence go to http://www.unitedamericanpatriots.org/
and make a denoation $1,5,10,100, or 1000 will make a huge impact and will go to a greater good
-make a difference
stand up for what you believe in, dont buy into the government pricks who have never even encountered a war field or had to experience his or her best friend dying in your arms, this federal court doesnt know anything about the military law, its a joke
so, come to court and give your support for Nazario's sake and his lawyers
please go, you are very welcomed
we want to fill the court room, we want Narzario to know he is in the best hands and is supported GREATLY
United States District Court, riverside
located on the corner of lime and 12th street in RS
2nd floor, court room:1
p.s.
For those who think he is guilty, we'll give you a gun and send you into Iraq, and you can rely on making the correct decisions well hoping despartely your not convicted of doing what you were COMMANDED to do
so once you have experienced war, you can come talk to us
Great info. Thank you for sharing that. There was a comment on another post about Nazario asking about making a donation to his defense. This lets people know what they can do to help. You must be very proud of your Dad!
ReplyDelete