Court-Martial Begins for Soldier Who Fled 'oil-Driven War'

NNN0LHI

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Wed May-19-04 01:32 PM
Original message

Court-Martial Begins for Soldier Who Fled 'oil-Driven War'

http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGAJY85RFUD.html

FORT STEWART, Ga. (AP) - The attorney for a U.S. soldier accused of deserting his unit in Iraq asked a military judge Wednesday to dismiss the charge, saying the infantryman was entitled to leave the military because he is a citizen of Costa Rica.

Staff Sgt. Camilo Mejia, a reservist in the Florida National Guard, is charged with desertion after failing to return to his unit in Iraq after a two-week furlough in October.

He turned himself in to the Army in March after being gone five months, saying he did not want to fight in an "oil-driven war."

Mejia, 28, faces a year in prison and a bad-conduct discharge if convicted of desertion, which military law defines as leaving the military with no intention to return or to "avoid hazardous duty or to shirk important service."

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teryang

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Wed May-19-04 02:05 PM
Response to Original message

1. Extremely interesting case

Edited on Wed May-19-04 02:07 PM by teryang

If I were the government I might want to give this guy an administrative out in lieu of courts-martial. Technically interesting that his obligation ended right about the time he was extended. The ratification or waiver approach by the prosecutor is a defense to a defense. When you are under a compulsion, how can it be said that you waived?

From a PR view the case stinks for the government also. The guy sounds like he's seen combat, killing of civilians incidentally and also abuse of detainees. I'd have the press at the trial and plead not guilty.

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crossroads

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Wed May-19-04 02:26 PM
Response to Reply #1

4. I agree, plead not guilty and get the press on it bigtime!

This needs to be heard. I think public sympathies will help this guy. Sheeple are waking up!

:kick:

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teryang

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Wed May-19-04 02:36 PM
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5. Nobody wants to prosecute a combat vet

...what are these guys thinking? I'd also suggest a pscyh workup. He sounds like he has PTSD. Even if convicted, if he elects a military panel instead of judge alone, he won't even do time.

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nolabels

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Wed May-19-04 02:12 PM
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2. They will probably hit with the comeback "You are a Citizen of Amerika"

Damn corporatist will be dusting off that old Monroe Doctrine any minute now.

(they should just tell him he signed to papers to voluntarily be a slave for the Empire)

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bedtimeforbonzo

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Wed May-19-04 02:17 PM
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3. I'm suprised

that he hasn't been shot trying to escape yet.

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gratuitous

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Wed May-19-04 02:44 PM
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6. You can help SSgt Mejia

Details at www.Citizen-Soldier.org

All gifts are tax deductible.

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arcos

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Wed May-19-04 08:08 PM
Response to Original message

7. kick n/t

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comsymp

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Wed May-19-04 08:33 PM
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8. One year and a bad-conduct discharge...

Edited on Wed May-19-04 08:33 PM by comsymp

Isn't that what "Say Cheese" Sivitz got?

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