Sergeant charged in detainee death

[unhappycamper]

Sergeant charged in detainee death
By Gidget Fuentes - Times staff
Posted : Friday Dec 7, 2007 14:20:42 EST

OCEANSIDE, Calif. — The Marine Corps on Dec. 6 charged a sergeant with murder — the second Marine to face prosecution in the alleged shooting death of an Iraqi detainee during combat operations in Fallujah in late 2004, officials said.

Sgt. Jermaine A. Nelson is charged with one count of murder after allegedly shooting the unnamed detainee, and six counts of dereliction of duty for failing to follow law-of-war regulations in handling detainees and rules of engagement during the Nov. 9, 2004, incident, according to Camp Pendleton, Calif., officials, who announced the charges Dec. 7.

Nelson could face up to a life sentence and dishonorable discharge if he’s convicted on all charges.

The charges, ordered by Lt. Gen. Samuel Helland, replace an original set of charges levied against Nelson in August by Helland’s predecessor, Gen. Jim Mattis, but dismissed in September so Helland, who took command of Marine Corps Forces-Central Command as well as I Marine Expeditionary Force at Pendleton, could review the investigation.

Nelson is one of several members of a squad with Camp Pendleton-based 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines, whose roles in the alleged shooting have been under question. A Naval Criminal Investigative Service investigation began after another squad member, former Cpl. Ryan Weemer, reported during a federal polygraph exam about a possible wrongful death while fighting insurgents in Fallujah.


Rest of article at: http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2007/12/ap_chargedagain_071207/