PTSD on Trail, combat claims disputed in double murder charges

PTSD comes only one way and that is after traumatic events. It does change the way people think, react and feel about others as well as themselves.

This article says Spc. Hunter did not see combat or any deaths of anyone in his unit this time but it does not say what happened on the other deployment that could have caused PTSD. It does not say if there were civilians killed when Spc. Hunter was in the area or not. As we all know from reports, bombs are still blowing up civilians in Iraq. We should not totally dismiss PTSD yet until everything is reported. If Hunter was not exposed to any traumatic events the his use of it to defend himself against a double murder charge is beneath contempt. PTSD does not let anyone off the hook for crimes they commit but it would have to be taken into account when deciding what justice is in each case. Too many of our veterans suffering from PTSD never commit crimes and never harm anyone. The veterans committing crimes are rare and this is something the media should take into account whenever they report on a story like this.

MURDER SUSPECT'S COMBAT CLAIMS DISPUTED
ARMY CHECKING: Deployed unit had no deaths, injuries
By JOANNA RICHARDS
TIMES STAFF WRITER
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2009

FORT DRUM — Officials from the Army base are looking into the veracity of claims that Spc. Joshua Hunter, the military policeman accused this week of killing two fellow soldiers, experienced trauma during his Iraq deployment.

Some of the soldier's family members said this week that the 20-year-old military policeman had returned from a recent deployment mentally disturbed. Emily Hunter, his wife, told the Associated Press, "He saw his best friend get blown up to pieces and he tried to put him back together. He was never right after that."

But the unit Spc. Hunter deployed with experienced no combat deaths or even injuries during its 15-month Iraq deployment that ended in mid-2009, although it had two non-combat related deaths, said Maj. Frederick C. Harrell, a spokesman for the 10th Mountain Division.

"We're looking into whether his statements are true or not," Maj. Harrell said. "There's questions on it, so we've just got to answer the questions."
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Deployed unit had no deaths, injuries