If the request of prosecutors is upheld, then the trials of Navy SEALs Matthew McCabe and Julio Huertas, which are scheduled for this month, will be pushed back. Their lawyers, however, are not too keen on the idea. According to a news report, the lawyers for both SEALs are opposing the request of prosecutors to delay the cases until March. The prosecutors, according to the defendant’s lawyers, have had enough time to prepare for its case.
Unless, of course, they realize that their case is weakening, as indicated in another post.
The trial of Special Warfare Operator 1sr Class Julio Huertas is scheduled for Monday, January 11. He has been charged with dereliction of duty and making false statements during an investigation, as well as impeding an investigation by influencing the testimony of a witness. The trial of Special Warfare Operator 2nd Class Matthew McCabe, on the other hand, is scheduled for January 19. He is the only one charged with actually physically assaulting terror suspect Ahmed Hashim Abed.
The lawyers for the two Navy SEALs, Monica Lombardi who is representing Julio Huertas and Neal Puckett who is representing Matthew McCabe, have said in separate interviews that they would like Abed to appear in court at the Naval Station Norfolk to face questions about the incident. They have also complained that the prosecutors have not released evidence in “a timely manner”.
The trial for the third SEAL, Jonathan Keefe, has been set for April.
The request to continue the case against Julio Huertas will be considered by a judge on Monday, according to Lombardi. Also scheduled for Monday is a motion hearing for Jonathan Keefe’s case. Neal Puckett, on the other hand, said that there will most likely be a hearing for Matthew McCabe’s case on Wednesday.
January 11th, 2010 - 10:03 pm
Another trial delay? The Command was ready overnight to levy an unjust Article 15 against the SEAL’s but now the Commanders and their JAG henchmen are in a mad scramble to fabricate and make excuses like “trial delays”. Why all the feet dragging on evidence and bills of particulars? After all, the Command was ready to levy Art. 15’s like slopping pigs food in their sty. It’s something they like to do, and these sailors have ruined their day by standing up to their unjust Art. 15 and that is their right. Too bad. I hate the Military judiciary because of it’s corruption and bad deeds. There are lots of cases out there and they show a military judiciary out of control and beyond redemption. If everybody challenged their Art 15’s then what do you think will happen?
January 12th, 2010 - 9:32 am
This is all bullsh__! Our guys are protecting this Country from these terrorists and we put them on trial???
The leaders of USA should be put on trial for failing to use common sense. EVERYONE I know feels this way.
We will be watching what happens here
January 12th, 2010 - 1:31 pm
The corruption and “political correctness” of the military leadership are going to cause a revolt in the ranks. They (and we) are sick of bad leadership and disgusting cases like Major Jill Metzger (google her name) and this creepy ghoulish terrorist Maj. Nidal Malik Hassan that THEY let into the ranks and worse, promoted! We are sick and disgusted with judiciary corruption cases like the big cheese leader of the Air Force judiciary, Major General Bernard Fiscus and Colonel Michael Murphy who had been disbarred and didn’t have a law license to begin with! These people escaped justice and the troops know about the lying, the corruption, the sex for promotion/status scams, the harrassment of the lowly enlisted for BS reasons like the SEAL case. We are ANGRY as hell!! We hate the leadership and want JUSTICE!
January 17th, 2010 - 6:26 am
[...] who has had to be involved in any form of litigation will know how financially demanding being in such a situation can be. Support Our SEALs expressed [...]
January 19th, 2010 - 7:55 am
Veteran & regular American
The first and most important thing to remember about justice is:
If the court makes a mistake, they cannot remember it, if you make one, they cannot forget it.
February 6th, 2010 - 6:57 am
I think the act of moving the trial back to IRAQ is just a ploy to limit the damage to the chain of command, hoping the exspense will cause more then undo hardship on our Seals. The rational our government cannot move the accuser to the USA is what it is, BS to the 10th power. One prisoner, the government was about ready to move the Highest Enemy Combatant caught yet, to NYC to stand trial at an estimated cost of $200,000 million, why cant they move this THUG to the US so he can blab his tale of alleged mistreatment.
PC correctness is running amuck with the rules of engagement, gee is this not war, the allegations are whimpering, he is lucky he is still alive, and he should start the last half of his life chained to the floor of a C-17 and be brought to the US. The trial is in IRAQ to lessen the impact of the verdict, not guilty, not quilty, not guilty,
Our Special People deserve better. And the PC WHIMPS in the Seals Chain of Command need to find other employment, they are not in my opinion uploading Best Traditions of the US Navy, the Department of Defense, and The United States of America, TERRORIST AND THEIR SUPPORT NETWORK HAVE NO RIGHTS.
February 9th, 2010 - 10:28 pm
As a member of MACV(SOG) in 67-68, what the government is trying to do is criminal. These are special operators. They are specially trained to seek out Terrorists and other covert units who plot against the USA. They should be given medals, not courts martials. I cannot believe that the terrorists are getting better treatment and representation than out U>S> Navy SEALS.
March 10th, 2010 - 9:02 pm
I am watching and reading all the info I can on this surreal situation with our HERO Seals. I want to just go ballistic and pound on some dumb SOB that had the gaul to even think our servicemen deserve these charges brought against them, but I am hoping that there will be justice in the court room for them all. The damage though has been done, they will have to live with this crap for the rest of their careers and then their lives afterward….no HERO should have to do this as he or she gladly and willingly protects our freedoms; no matter the costs. I say this all falls back on the President – he is the commander – he is the leader and he is the reason our Nation is faceless to the enemy. He could correct this situation if he dared….to hell with political correctness. When a terrorist can cry Wolf and get away with it after killing four of our citizens (protecting America far from home) no less, then something is Rotten in Denmark….How much longer is America going to let things go down hill?? Wake up people, the writing is on the wall! God Bless Petty Officer MacCabe and his fellow Seals.
March 15th, 2010 - 1:44 pm
We the People of the United States, this great country that our SEALs are dedicated to protect, are watching. Drop the charges – NOW!
April 2nd, 2010 - 3:34 pm
What a disgrace to charge and try these fine men. This surreal ordeal is and will always be a black mark on those who have brought the charges and those who support trying these men. God bless the Seals.
May 9th, 2010 - 11:19 am
Are you kidding me::::
These men go out and risk and put their lives on the line everyday without so much as a thank you.99 Percent you never hear about.. They are the finest of the finest PERIOD.
My family and I wish these seals the best and we give them our support forever. They are first line and the line you want when it gets bad.
To even consider a disciplinary action for a very minor spontaneous reaction is just stupid. He is not William Calley.
Please do the right thing Retired Police Officer
David W Niezgoda