Alaska Man asked to be shot to avoid Marine duty

Police: Man asked to be shot to avoid Marine duty
San Francisco Chronicle
September 8, 2012


KENAI, Alaska (AP) — A 19-year-old Alaska man didn't want to return to his Marine Corps battalion after a severe anxiety attack, police say, so he had a friend shoot him in the leg with a shotgun.

The May 22 shooting prompted the state to file weapons and evidence charges. When he failed to report for duty, Ian H. West's commanding officer issued a deserter warrant.

Now, West's attorney says he was unlawfully held by the state of Alaska for 20 days this summer, even after the Marines dropped his deserter status.
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