Sailor charged in Camp Pendleton shooting death of seaman

[ruggerson]

Source: San Diego Union-Tribune

SAN DIEGO – A sailor was charged Thursday with fatally shooting and burning Seaman August Provost during an alleged burst of crime June 30 at Camp Pendleton.

In announcing the charges, Navy officials suggested that Petty Officer 2nd Class Jonathan Campos killed his victim indiscriminately. They again said there's no evidence of a hate crime against Provost, who was gay, or of gang-related activity.

Campos, 32, of Lancaster, had served with Provost on Assault Craft Unit 5. He faces 16 charges, including murder, arson, unlawful entry, theft of military property and wrongful possession of a firearm, Capt. Matt Brown, a spokesman for Navy Region Southwest, said during a news conference Thursday afternoon at the San Diego Naval Base.

The Navy hasn't announced a date for Campos' pretrial hearing, called an Article 32 hearing.


Read more: http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2009/jul/23/bn23provost-man-arrested/?military&zIndex=137171

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“Our family is still in shock over what happened to August. We just want justice to be done, and we hope to one day understand why the killer would target someone as good and responsible as my nephew,” said aunt Rose Roy of Beaumont, Texas.

“I'm not sure the charges will settle our questions about August being harassed or murdered for his sexual orientation,” Roy added. “We are waiting for more information from the Navy.”

[grantcart]

1. seems like he died because he was doing his duty, standing sentry at his post.

A day after Provost died, Brown said, Campos allegedly recruited a civilian to kill a Navy master-at-arms and damage his home. The officer served in the same unit as Campos and Provost, Brown said.

[tomm2thumbs]

2. very very bizarre story

[Kind of Blue]

3. From what I've heard on the news from his partner,

his sister, and mom, Provost complained of being routinely harassed for his sexual orientation, though he was a top-notch sailor. My gut reaction to how this developed is that the Navy is trying to sweep away a hate crime. Even Rep. Bob Filner who was there the morning of the discovery of Provost's body was told nothing, Camp Pendelton officials said every thing was A-okay there, no problems at all, as he was given the grand tour.

This the first time it's hit me that being out in the military is not about moral but more about what sick fuckers who judge whose life is not acceptable will do. I mean, another case, an interracial couple, the husband a Marine here, absolutely slaughtered in their home by "fellow Marines." It's too disgusting and heart wrenching to recount the torture they endured before bullets to their brains. But again, not a hate crime, just a robbery.

It's so neat and clean when it's just a robbery gone bad. I wonder how many more Camp Pendleton personnel will die because the military refuses to see these as hate crimes.

[caseymoz]

4. I don't like how quick the Navy is being at denying a hate crime.

However, since nobody else was there to witness it, a hate crime would be almost impossible to prove.

It looked like Campos spent the last 3 months becoming unhinged.