The trials of two of the three Navy SEALs who are facing assault charges for allegedly physically mishandling a suspected terrorist while the latter was in detention will be moved to Iraq.
We – and the rest of America – have been following the story of Navy SEALs since news of their being charged with assault broke out towards the end of November. Monday marked the first hearing of the cases for the year.
During this preliminary hearing, military court judge Cmdr. Tierney Carlos declared that he would like to have the cases of Navy SEALs Petty Officer 1st Class Julio Huertas and Petty Officer 2nd Class Jonathan Keefe moved to Camp Victory in Iraq. The ruling will give the court the ability to question Ahmed Hashim Abed – the alleged victim.
The lawyer who represents Jonathan Keefe had requested that Abed be brought to the United States for questioning regarding the case.
The charges are all linked to an alleged incident involving Abed, the suspected perpetrator of the killing and burning of four Blackwater contractors in Fallujah, Iraq. Abed had complained to investigators that he was subjected to physical abuse – he was said to have been punched – while he was in detention.
Jonathan Keefe is charged with dereliction of duty and making a false official statement. Julio Huertas faces the same charges as well as impeding an official investigation.
Carlos reportedly said the following as he made the ruling for Keefe: “It doesn’t make sense to me that the alleged victim is available for deposition and not available for trial. In order to prevent prejudice to the accused, this case should be tried in Iraq.” Carlos said further: “This deposition will not be a substitute for the alleged victim’s appearance.”
The third accused Navy SEAL, Petty Officer 2nd Class Matthew McCabe, will be facing a special court martial on Wednesday.
January 12th, 2010 - 7:16 am
What a politically driven farce of a trial. I am so glad that my son (Irag War Vet) is not in the service any longer. These guys (Navy Seals) are doing their job, then their hands are tied. We have nothing but a bunch of clowns running the military these days. Let these guys go, let them do their job and let them take off the gloves when it comes to fighting those who wish to do us harm. We are at war, this is not about the rule of law, this is war!
January 12th, 2010 - 7:21 am
This proves to me beyond the shadow of a doubt that Barack Obama hates America. This trial should not even be taking place and it’s a disgrace to our country that it is happening. These men went in, did their job and came back. This BS trial is another attempt of the Obama administration to tell others around the world that he hates this country and wants to fundamentally change it.
January 12th, 2010 - 9:33 am
This makes me physically ill to my stomach. The men and women we should be pinning medals on are being punished for doing their job while those in Washington DC calling the shots attenuate our military! How do you expect to fight a war without physical injuries to the enemy!
January 12th, 2010 - 9:40 am
I am more angry than I have ever been before. What kind of tricks are the JAG’s up to now? They don’t want the American public to see what is going on and they want to endanger the lives of the Seals by trying them in Iraqi. This mass murder terrorists gets a multi million dollar trial in the USA with all the liberal media behind them but our boys in uniform are to be tried away in a hostile country in the dark???? Tell me what I can do to help besides flooding my Senators and Congressmen with irate mail and phone calls?? I even wrote that fake president in the White House for all the good it will do. My neighbors and friends are also upset. Tell us how to help???
Your Friend Sharron J Misner
January 12th, 2010 - 4:48 pm
The trial of these 3 Navy Seals is nothing but OUTRAGEOUS. It makes me sick to know that 3 of OUR BEST, OUR BRAVEST,are being put through this sham. Instead of crucifying them, they should be treated as heroes of our country. It seems as though the terrorists who are being held can say anything,do anything and our government, in an attempt to be fair, rush to defend them in order to prove to other governments that we are unbiased and always play above board. Yet, these instruments of Allah, can behead, burn,hang and desecrate our soldiers and other Americans working for the government and very little is even reported regarding these incidents. I am sick of all the rhetoric coming out of Washington. Is our government truly ours or is all the crap we here just a cover up for another sinister agenda????
January 12th, 2010 - 5:05 pm
This is the “progressive’s” way of breaking our military. There are people who live amongst us with this way of thinking. Lets make thier lives as hard as possible.
January 12th, 2010 - 7:24 pm
Is the USA a bunch of idiots. I now turn my prayers up for our leadership and my back on them all. Please, vote all these crap asses out of office.
January 13th, 2010 - 8:02 am
No way. I have a son and nephew who served proudly in Iraq.
The punk terrorist who complained abput being punched in the face, is lucky to be alive. A bullet between the eyes would have silenced him.
When i served during Viet Nam, it was kill or be killed.
How many of our brave men serving, sufferd the indignity of torture. They would have preferred a punch in the face.
This punk got off easy. And now brave men are facing charges for allowing him to live. IS THIS JUSTICE?
January 13th, 2010 - 3:50 pm
FYI: Congressman Burton is spear heading a campaign directly with Gen Cleveland to have the charges dismissed. Please visit or goggle for more information. I feel this is surely polictically motivated and if we allow this to happen we should be ashamed. Please contact your local Sentors, Congressmen and State Representatives and asked they get involved.
Ralph Phillips
Combat Vet and Father of a Vet
Representative Dan Burtonburton.house.gov
209 South Washington Street
Marion, IN 46952-3803
Phone (765) 662-6770 (765) 662-6770
January 14th, 2010 - 6:28 am
[...] the trials of Navy SEALs Julio Huertas and Jonathan Keefe have been moved to Iraq, a May 3 trial date in Norfolk has been set for Special Warfare Operator Second Class Matthew [...]
January 14th, 2010 - 12:04 pm
Are the American people aware? This circus must be presented and kept in front of the American people. They need to see what is actually happening to our soldiers. Why isn’t the mainstream media covering this??
January 14th, 2010 - 1:12 pm
Amen. I agree with all who have come forth with support for these brave patriots and outrage for what we see happening.
But as you know, we have been forewarned – “good will become evil and evil good.” There’s no other explanation for this insanity. Whatever we should hold precious, we destroy and disgrace. And whatever used to offend and stun and still does, now is acceptable. Let us pray for someone in charge to come to their senses and not take this any further.
God Bless those who defend our liberty.
January 14th, 2010 - 3:18 pm
Another travesty in American politics and a severe injustice….these guys should be awarded medals, not put on trial for something that could quite possibly ruin their careers. The person, or persons, responsible for bringing charges against these fine young men are the ones who should be put on trial…for aiding and abetting the enemy(the terrorist), and, as far as I am concerned, treason(crimes against this country)….we need our operators to know that we support them and the necessary means of destroying the enemy…by any means necessary. I will write my representatives, and will encourage others to do so as well. God bless the Navy SEALs!!!!
Colin Robertson
American, Texan, and proud supporter of our Navy SEALs….
January 14th, 2010 - 5:41 pm
What is going to happen is no one who has what it takes to be in Special Ops of any Service Branch will want to go into them. This will cause a lowering of standards to happen. God help our Armed Services AND our Country at that point!
William Riley
U. S. Army Retired
January 15th, 2010 - 8:06 am
I USED TO TELL ALL MY NIECES AND NEPHEWS TO JOIN THE MILITARY AFTER HIGH SCHOOL SO THEY COULD SERVE THEIR COUNTRY AND BE PROUD THEY DID!!…I WILL NO LONGER TELL THEM THIS ANYMORE, BUT NOW WILL SAY ..YOU ARE A FOOL IF YOU JOIN THE SERVICE!!
SAM
101 AIRBORNE
U.S.ARMY
A ONCE FREE AMERICA
January 15th, 2010 - 5:58 pm
Let us not forget what these scum did to our Blackwater brothers, Its a shame that our wonderfull Democrats up in washington seem to think that the scum of the earth are givin more rights Than the True grit AMERICANS These Seals need to be back at work I feel less safe, Wake up people.
January 16th, 2010 - 9:49 am
I have written an open letter to My Senator Carl Levin, and posted it at
http://michigantaxes.com/wordpress/an-open-letter-to-michigan-senator-carl-levin/
Senator Levin’s office is frequently the subject of my ridicules, and I know they read the posts based on IP records. Perhaps they might take a second look at this, given his position as chair of the Armed Services Committee.. Though I am not holding my breath.
God Bless these men.
January 16th, 2010 - 9:53 am
[...] reading on this here: and [...]
January 16th, 2010 - 10:00 am
Great comments everyone.Remember the Blackwater men and how they were murdered.One of these men was a former Navy SEAL,the youngest ever.This young man was a hero to our family,what a tragic loss.These SEALs captured the evil murderer and brought him to justice.If it would have been up to me- the whole country would have mysteriosly vaporized.
January 31st, 2010 - 6:07 am
[...] suspected terrorist Ahmed Hashim Abed has his own defense lawyer. Petty Officer 1st Class Julio Huertas, who is charged with dereliction of duty, making a false official statement and impeding an [...]
February 1st, 2010 - 5:45 am
[...] In previous posts, we have already shared with you the background of the lawyers tasked with defending Navy SEALs Matthew McCabe and Julio Huertas. In this post, we focus on Greg McCormack, who is defending Navy SEAL Jonathan Keefe. [...]
February 2nd, 2010 - 2:22 pm
I feel helpless watching three,actually six Navy Seals lives being unraveled.I write letters,blog,talk to Senators and anyone i can.So i think if we help these guys financially it would help greatly.I worked this weekend and last so i could donate the money to our Navy SEAL heroes.It makes me so mad that our government would do this to our Elite Military heroes.That is all i can do,wish i could do more.At least i didn’t vote for this Administration.McCain is very pro military and never would have allowed this to happen.
February 5th, 2010 - 7:08 am
Here’s an idea….let’s just do away with the U.S. military altogether. What’s the point in having a military if we treat them with such disrespect. Let’s continue this disgraceful and embarrasing practice so that we now have men & women questioning their actions instead of the reactionary instincts they need to serve and protect. Let’s have them all wondering if what they do will lead them to a court martial and/or prison.I say the real criminal here is the person or persons who instigated this farce because they are traitors to our nation. These Navy Seals deserve or respect, our gratitude and medals. Just who IS running our country these days. Surely even the most liberal would have to agree that this is an injustice to the nth degree.
March 9th, 2010 - 2:50 pm
It is absolutely unthinkable that we are babying this terrorist because he got a bloody lip during his arrest, after what he did to our servicemen!!! I am amazed that the Seals were able to restrain themselves and treat him as gently as they did. If it had been me, I probably would have just shot him! We must support our military, or they will not be able to protect us when needed. They are there at the request of the United States of America, doing the job they were asked to do to the best of their ability under very difficult circumstances. I challenge any one of those dumbass lawyers and progressive politicians to take their place and try to do as well. These Seals should be completely exonerated and given commendations for a job well done. They should also be given an APOLOGY for the inconvenience and embarrassment some people in their country have put them through!!!
April 3rd, 2010 - 5:17 am
A truly nauseating course of action that our military is taking on these fine men. As a two tour Viet-Nam vet, I can tell you that this guy would be happy to settle for a “bloody lip” or whatever discomfort he experienced if he had been in my sights…Move them on and let God sort them out…
April 6th, 2010 - 5:32 pm
[...] be excluded, the charges of making false statements brought against Navy SEALs Jonathan Keefe and Julio Huertas have been [...]
April 19th, 2010 - 2:25 pm
Excuse me while I go puke. This makes me physically ill and my head is spinning. God help these guys and their families. I can’t imagine what a nightmare this must be for all of them. God help ‘em all!!!!!!!
April 22nd, 2010 - 5:30 am
WHAT! I’m not even an American citizen nor do I live in the US but this story makes me SICK to my stomach. How can they do this? Can you blame anyone for punching the piece of human garbage responsible for that outrage? Bloody hell, do they think US soldiers being held captive by the enemy are treated humanely?? Jeez, know where to draw the line people. It’s a different thing if a bad apple goes spare and wipes out an entire village, raping the women etc etc but this?? No frikkin way.
May 24th, 2011 - 4:12 am
Look at the picture of the man (in the background) hanging upside down – burned and broken. And the guy responsible for that wants to complain because he was punched?
If we still lived under “an eye for an eye”, that would be HIM hanging in the background!