Grieving Dad Won't Face Charges( for torching Marine van)

[RamboLiberal]

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/08/25/national/main638549.shtml

The Marines will not press charges against a distraught Florida father who snapped after three Leathernecks came to his door to tell him his son had been killed in Iraq.

Carlos Arredondo torched the van the Marines came in and seriously burned himself. The Marines were not injured, and the Corps will not press charges, a spokesman said. Arrendondo could have faced charges of arson and destruction of government property, reports CBS station WFOR-TV.

<snip>

But Luz Marina Arredondo, Alexander's grandmother, felt the government was at fault for her grandson's death.

"I blame them a lot," she said. "They send them like guinea pigs over there."

[skooooo]

1. Freepers won't be happy..

...they wanted him to hang for destroying government property.

[Skittles]

2. it would have been cruel to charge him

that's why freepers are for it

[jdj]

14. Um, are they wanting this admin hanged for destroying 950 +

pieces of "gov't property"?

[stellanoir]

3. thank god

I was really worried he'd be prosecuted.

He lost a son.

They lost a stupid van.

Note the distinction.

[Amazin]

5. This is an exception

The distinction is property is usually worth more than human life according to our blind laws such as is the case in Iraq.Don't take the obvious for granted.

[leesa]

17. I'm sure their trucks and vans are worth more to them.

[Massacure]

4. Good. I think he has been punished enough.

[Gin]

6. it was awful for all involved..the 3 Marines must have felt pretty bad

too..not only giving him the bad news...but pulling him out of the van on fire..I hope he recovers and is able to live a decent life.

[stellanoir]

7. he has burns on over 50%

of his body. That coupled with loss of a son is certainly punishment enough for god honest grief over his son dying for no good reason.

[RummyTheDummy]

12. Can you imagine how fun their job is?

I can't imagine what those guys have to go through doing that kind of work day after day breaking that kind of news to people. I know they don't leave their work at the "office" every day.

[roguevalley]

8. I would have been very surprised if they had filed charges. I don't

think we have the compassion and appalled silence market cornered. I am just glad they said they wouldn't. That would be the last of this poor man's worries. God bless him.

[jdj]

15. Only because it wouldn't be "good for business"

like "they" really give a damn.

If "they" really cared, we wouldn't be over there in the first place.

[DUreader]

9. Every relative can get away with this? This guy must 'know somebody'

I guess maybe any parent could get away with this on a temp. insanity defense.

[babylon_system]

10. Grieving Dad should get a medal

Wish there were more damn mad people like him (wthout the self-inflicted injuries, of course).

Instead we have a bunch of complacent Prozac Nation brainwash victims watching apatheticaly as this insane government cruelly slaughters people all over the world.

[BBG]

11. Marine Jurisdiction?

Why would we think that the decision of the Marines is the final word? So the Marine Corp will not press charges. Let the issue cool off and the DoD can always file charges later.

Retribution is mine, sayeth the Lord and Rove.

[burrowowl]

13. Welcome to DU, BBG!

:hi:

[daleo]

16. If the BFEE steals the election, they will be back for him after November

But until then, they know the optics of it would be a killer. Rummy will not let a challenge to his authority go unpunished.

[llmart]

18. My, isn't that big of them?

The guy loses a son in an illegal/immoral war for oil profits and then loses his mind over it and the Marines say they won't prosecute? Aren't they just the swellest???

[iamjoy]

19. Good Article In Orlando Sentinel

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/state/orl-locmdad27082704aug27,1,1601730.story?coll=orl-home-headlines

I thought very well done and focuses on the man's feelings. I want to cry for him. It seems almost every day we read about somebody dying, but this one really hits.

[Jack_DeLeon]

20. wow...

I thought for sure he would face charges.

Glad someone has a heart.