I don’t wish to rehash the issue. I have stated my position. But some seemed interested in the story and there is a more in depth article which tells SFC Taylor’s story more.
For those of you that don’t know, the Army Times is an independent weekly owned by Gannet. It is not affiliated with the Army but is sold on post. It sometimes has stories that are positive and some that portray the Army very negatively. The writers are civilians.
http://www.armytimes.com/prime/2012/07/PRIMEarmy-taylor-afghanistan-attack-homicide-charges-071612/8fa2a67f9214c7994dfd823174014787
What the hell is with people saying not to donate money based on the fact that they think he’s guilty? So the fuck what? You’re not paying money to get him exonerated. You’re paying money to get him a proper defense. If he’s really guilty, he’s going to get punished either way. This just makes sure he has a chance at presenting his side of the story without publicity damning him.
It’s fucking reprehensible to tell people they shouldn’t contribute because you think he’s guilty. And I don’t give a shit whether you were a soldier before or not. That does not automatically give you respect in my eyes. If anything, seeing the response here being justified by being a soldier makes me respect soldiers less.
And, believe me, this is me holding back.
Yeah, I hate when people have different opinions than me too.
Oh, please don’t hold back.
Everyone on this board is dying to know how you really feel. You’re generally just so reticent about voicing your opinions that we can only wonder about what you’re really like. Don’t keep us in suspense any longer, pleeeeeeeaaase!
Did anyone actually do this? Or do you just have trouble reading?
If “people” refers to or includes me, then you are mistaken. The plea in the OP was for people to support this lawyer’s huge wallet because the defendant was being wrongly and unjustly accused of a crime for political reasons.
My post was to make it clear that there are legitimate reasons the military is pursuing this matter. This man fucked up. It is only fair that people who are going to donate money understand that this isn’t the travesty of justice they may have been lead to believe.
If they people were going to donate because they don’t want this man to be a martyr, and because this man did absolutely nothing wrong according to the reports, then I would tell them “Don’t waste your money.” Because that isn’t what is happening here. The story as reported indicates several reasons why the hearing is legit, including his own statements and statements from his lawyer.
Now, if someone wants to donate because they think all defendants in military court deserve an overpaid civilian attorney for true American Justice to proceed, then fine by me. It’s your money.
This statement assumes that he would not receive a proper defense from appointed military counsel. I disagree with that assumption. I also think that this lawyer is hurting his case more than helping it (for reasons I’ve already mentioned). The lawyer is using a shotgun defense where he’s just throwing out all of these easily countered excuses, when he should be focusing more on a possible SVBIED (where you would should the woman), and not a VBIED (where you should shoot the driver). He is placing too much attention on the VBIED scenario which makes no sense at all in this situation.
Ironic, since it is his civilian attorney who has started much of the publicity campaign.
See above.
Who exactly are you referring to?
What post are you referring to? Also, I love you huge brush you paint with. Respect all soldiers less because of what one said on a message board? Lovely.
By all means, don’t hold back. Take it to the pit. Show us what you got.
FWIW, I talked to a guy today who was actually called to Germany to serve as a character witness for SFC Taylor. This person has known SFC Taylor for over a decade. They’ve served together in several different units and were deployed together during this deployment. This guy was one of the first people SFC Taylor messaged right after the incident.
I talked with this guy in depth and shared my view of events. He says SFC Taylor is a great guy and a model soldier, always has been. However, does not disagree with any of the factual assessments I presented and agrees that he made several mistakes, including trying to cover it up initially.
So, sure, donate money if you feel that military defendants need money from private citizens or they will never be properly represented. But if you are donating because you think this man is a victim of politics and scandal, then don’t waste your money.
Seems the investigating officer thinks he is in fact not guilty … I know that doesn’t mean the convening authority cannot overturn the recommendation but … there it is.
I don’t have a better link than this right now, but here it is.
Stars and Stripes story http://www.stripes.com/investigator-recommends-against-court-martial-for-soldier-who-killed-afghan-civilian-1.184698
Thanks rick …
I appreciate Bear Nenno’s take on the situation. I for one like to hear both sides of an issue.
Does the recommendation against a court martial mean that SFC Taylor won’t have a huge legal bill to pay?
I mean, I know his lawyer’s already worked a lot; assuming the court martial doesn’t happen, does the $35000 go down significantly?
Sachertorte, the stars and stripes link is pretty straight forward. My link has the IO’s findings so there’s that. I too would like to hear bears thoughts, I doubt he agrees but I doubt he’s surprised either … I’ll shoot him a pm.
Bup … I honestly don’t know but assume it at least won’t go higher.
This is not like a Grand Jury deciding not to hand down an indictment. The Article 32 investigating officer can only make a recommendation. In this case it goes to the Brigade Commander who has the authority to dismiss the charges or send it on for a court martial. I know its rare to go against the findings of an Article 32 but it does happen. I have no idea if they keep stats as to how often that happens. So it is not necessarily over. I have no idea how much expense they have incurred to this point.
For those who might be interested in the conclusion of the story, it’s being reported on several military Facebook pages that the convening authority has decided to dismiss the charges.
Thanks Loach. It’s six am here and I just read the news … Goes well with my coffee 