Re: US military jury clears SEAL in Iraq abuse case
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 500grains</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Downzero</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
This man received a fair and impartial trial and was judged by a panel of his peers. It seems that everything worked out just fine. </div></div>
I have to disagree. Even when a defendant prevails, the legal proceedings can be devastating - financially, emotionally, etc. I hope these SEALs can get past this and get their careers back on track, but it would not surprise me at all if they became disillusioned and left the military. In my opinion, for actions taken in a war zone charges should only be brought in the most extreme cases where the proof is overwhelming. From what I know of the government's evidence in the SEALs' case, it was questionable from the start. </div></div>
Perhaps in the civilian system.
This man got free counsel at public expense and was exonerated. Should there have been more of a "filter" at the prosecution's end? Perhaps. But if there were factual circumstances that suggested a crime took place, that is a question for a jury and that is why we have trials.
These guys could have taken a reprimand, but instead, they did the smart thing and demanded a court martial. I would have done the exact same thing in their shoes.